Before We Ask

Read Ephesians 3:14-21

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NRSV)

As Norman A. Thomas, from Virginia, writes, his beloved wife is undergoing her seventh surgery for breast cancer in just over three years. She has also endured 13 months of chemotherapy. After checking in at the hospital this morning, they prayed together.

Once she was taken back for anesthesia and surgery, Norman prayed earnestly for her and for all the doctors, nurses, and technicians involved in her surgery. He then read his daily devotional. When he completed that reading, it occurred to Norman that in his prayer life he has asked for many things. Although Norman does thank God for the gift of grace through Jesus Christ and for the many blessings of his life, Norman feels as though most of his prayers ask for a particular outcome for his loved ones, for those in need or suffering, or for himself.

Norman wondered if God ever tires of his many requests. So he turned to the Bible. In numerous passages he received assurance that God desires his prayerful requests. Those prayers tell God of his true and abiding faith in God's grace. Paul said it well in his letter to the Philippians, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Phil.4:6). That is exactly what Norman is doing today. God is love, and Norman is most thankful for that and for God's listening ear.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know what we need even before we ask. May our prayerful requests reveal our sincere and abiding faith in you, in Jesus' name. Amen.