The Art of Asking

Suzy was weary.  If she had to endure one more sermon when a Pastor encouraged the people to “ask and they shall receive”, she would probably quit church altogether.  It is not that she disliked church or even that she did not see herself as a Christian, but it was the uncovering  of the pain of unanswered prayer.  Suzy was still barren after years of asking God to help bring forth a child.  With not much conviction, she enters that sensitive arena one more time, “God, would you please help us have a baby?”

Joe goes to the altar every week for prayer asking for the same request.  The church initially gave great support to Joe with comments of agreement for his request and meaningful “pats on the back”.  With the passage of time, now they hardly notice his consistent crying out before the Lord.  Joe had married an “unbeliever” years early.  Eventually she left him with the children, saying that she did not want a divorce, but she had “irreconcilable differences”.  Once again Joe is at the altar, “God, will you please restore my marriage?”

It was a major physical experience just to get out of bed every day.  Bill endured daily the pain of extensive fibromyalgia.  This sickness has little to no outward appearance as to alert others of the degree of hurt.  Many think Bill is just “making it up” for sympathy’s sake.  Bill believes God can heal his body, he has seen miracles at his church.  Doctors have “practiced” with medicines that have helped him cope, but also brought many discouraging side effects that are more irritating than his sickness.  Once again Bill prays, “Lord, with one touch from You, I can be healed.  Why are you not healing me?  Would you do it today?”

No easy answers to hard questions, and the “Why” questions are probably the most difficult for us to endure.  Yet, we are encouraged throughout the Bible to “ask of the Lord”.  Is there a “secret” to how we are to ask?  Why does it seem that some people ask of the Lord and receive their answer immediately?  Does God have an agenda for making people wait for them to receive their answer?  Are there some principles or guidelines in the scriptures that can help direct a better “ask”?

Throughout the next series of blogs, we will explore the “art of asking” as found in the scriptures.  We will look at examples of people asking of Jesus to help them, and his teaching for us to “ask”.  We will try to outline some roadblocks of our request and look at the power of asking in agreement.  Hopefully, God will strengthen our resolve in teaching us to “keep on asking”.  Be encouraged even this article has brought you back to the right ball field to find your answers.

So today let’s look at one story when some men asked a question.  ²⁰ Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration ²¹ paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” ²² Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus. John 12:20-22 NIV.

The Bible does not record Jesus talking with these gentlemen.  What better question to be asked than for people to meet with Jesus.  Jesus reply to Philip and Andrew was to point them to the Father and his plan for the world.  Jesus pointed them to cross.  Jesus expressed great wisdom and had authority to perform miraculous signs, but his primary goal was to glorify his Father through his sacrificial death on the cross.  The underlying theme of the Greek’s request appears to see Jesus “show off his giftings”.  But God boomed forth from heaven into the earth’s atmosphere “Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”  John 12:28.

First principle and not at all in order of importance,

1.    All questions ultimately lead to the cross. 

a.    At the cross, God’s power and plan for our lives is fully demonstrated.  Pride, as in making a name for ourselves apart from God, is dealt the final blow.  We all stand humbly and in need at the foot of the cross.  None of our old self makes it past the cross.  Jesus said a grain of wheat has to fall to the ground and die in order for it to bring forth life.  Not our will, but his be done.

b.    Healing, both for now and the ultimate restoration of our bodies, is secured through his crucifixion experience.  By his stripes we were healed.  Death and decay is not our end.

c.    Salvation and new birth are secured in the agony of Jesus payment for our death sentence.  Jesus desires that none perish, and he made a way, a path for sinners to become clean.

When life seems overwhelming and you are frustrated and weary, ask to “see Jesus”.  Look to the cross and follow his footsteps to the throne of God where He is making intercession for you right at this moment.  He is asking God to remember his faithfulness to his children. 

The cross is the firm foundation.  It is the rock where we can gain the strength to engage our unanswered request.  It is the place where the struggles of life find their place of unimportance.  It is the place where we see the full expression of love in the face of Jesus toward us.  In that while we were yet sinners (totally undesirable and unwanted) Jesus died for us.

Next, Jesus encourages us to “keep on asking”.