What if God really gave you what you asked for? Part 1

Here is a scary thought: "What if God really gave you what you asked for?"

Now how is that scary, you ask? Well it is in this way: so often we ask for little things. It is like you find out a wealthy relative wants to give you some money. You know that relative can afford to give you a large sum. But instead of asking for $150,000, you think about that $500 mortgage payment you are desperately trying to find cash for. So, instead of asking for $150,000 which would pay off the house with money left over for the bathroom remodel you badly need, you ask for the $500 to make one payment.

So your relative, being the kind hearted soul he is, takes you at your word and gives you the $500 and leaves the remaining $149,500 in his bank account because apparently you really don't have need of it. Sounds pretty awful doesn't it? Many people would get upset with the relative. But it is not the relative's fault, it is yours! He simply gave you what you asked for.

Often prayer is like that. God is like the relative and we are like the person with the mortgage payment. God answered the prayer, but the answer was just a tiny fraction of what He wanted to do.

Yesterday at church I heard someone say, "If I end up as half the Christian he is, I would be so thrilled." And I have made comments like that too. But hearing someone else make it, I started thinking, maybe that is part of our trouble today. Each new generation of Christians asks God to be half as spiritual as the previous one. After a while we end up with a tiny fraction of Spiritual power and blessing that we should have.

The prophet Elisha made a very bold request in this regard. It is recorded for us in 2 Kings 2:9 "When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, 'Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.'" That request used to strike me as sort arrogant, you know like Elisha was saying "I want to be twice as good as you!" But Elisha was living in troubled times and facing big challenges without his mentor being there to help. To succeed, a half portion just would not be enough. So he asked boldly!

The record bears out the wonderful fact that his request was granted! I have a suspicion that had he asked for a half portion that is all he would have gotten. The result of a half portion would have been terrible for him, for Israel, and for God's people.

Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10: "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." I think Jesus is encouraging us to ask bold, faith-filled requests-- Requests that are in line with His will and made with proper motives, yes, but still bold ones.

That passage could also mean that if we ask timid, wimpy requests, He will grant those too. Maybe it is partly because if that is all we ask of Him, we really are not spiritually strong or mature enough to handle anything bigger, if He were to give it. Whichever way you want to read it, we very well could be limiting God's answers to our prayers.

I do not know about you, but I have some very big needs in my life and I am surrounded by big needs. Half portions are not up to those needs. I know that because looking back I have asked for a lot of half portions in my life. I asked with faith and God answered those requests in wonderful ways. But, what if I had asked for double portions with faith instead?

Look at your prayer life, requests, and the results. Will you seek God out, then ask with faith, in line with His word, and with proper motives; but boldly? Think about it.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker May 2007



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