Message #2 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Asking - God’s Way"

by Kaye Johns

Jesus taught us to be specific, asking for our "daily bread" [Luke 11:3, Matthew 6:9], for what we need day by day. When the blind man called out for mercy, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" [Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-41] He wasn’t healed until he said, "I want to see."

Years ago Reader’s Digest had a wonderful example of specific prayer from a former prisoner of war. He had been captured, hands tied behind him, and enemy soldiers were walking him through the woods at night. He kept falling, and they were growing impatient.

He prayed, but he said it wasn’t for strength to endure, or the ability to forgive or anything spiritual. He said, "Lord, I need light. If I can’t see, I’ll keep falling, and they’ll kill me." Within seconds, an enemy soldier turned on his flashlight.

That prayer was specific, direct and brief--asking for daily bread, exactly what he needed for the moment. Not all our needs are so dramatic, but we should present them just as clearly. Jesus taught us to be brief, and not to "keep on babbling" in our prayers [Matthew 6:7].

Sometimes people feel they shouldn’t ask about everything, but how do we know what to leave out? How can we tell what’s important? We wouldn’t be taught to ask, if the Lord didn’t want to hear. He’ll decide what’s important, and when and whether and how to answer.

Pray with me now -- Lord, help us follow Your simple command to ask for what we need, trusting You as our God Who hears. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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