When you have a need
“You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 ESV)
You must ask to receive
Someone asked a bank robber why he robbed banks and he said, “That’s where the money is!” He was certainly right about that, although his way of getting it was definitely wrong. Just as the bank is “where the money is”, God is where the provision is. When you look at God and who He is as our creator and provider, you can clearly see that that’s where the blessings and provision are. Therefore, it should be obvious that that’s where you must go to get what you need, directly to God. But, in reality, and according to the passage at top, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” We fail to receive by not going to God and asking for what we need! In fact, Jesus said that should be our first response. The following are some verses which tell us what we should do when we have a need.
WHEN YOU HAVE A NEED:
Seek God first about it - “
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 NKJV)
Boldly approach God about it – “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NKJV)
Don’t worry about it - “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)
Ask for it in the Name of Jesus - “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 ESV)
Ask with correct motives – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3 ESV)
Find and claim promises in God’s Word to support your request – “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” (2 Cor. 1:20 ESV); “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)
Ask with confidence and expectancy - “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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 ESV)
Believe with faith that you have received it -“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV); “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)
Thank God for it – “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Eph. 5:20 ESV)
Therefore…
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7 ESV)