When we go to God in prayer, there’s a lot we can ask for. Indeed, Jesus assures us, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13 NIV). John also tells us “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14 NIV). Yet, James writes:

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:3 (NIV)

In addition, Paul has this to say about the Holy Spirit and how he helps us.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (emphasis added).

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Sometimes we don’t know what to pray for, but we might think we do. We go to God thinking that what we’re asking for is according to his will, but we don’t see it manifest. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells them, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17 NIV). 

Paul could have asked God for anything for the Ephesians, but he asks God to give them the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that [they] may know him better.” It occurs to me that there’s nothing better than getting to know God better. Often, I lament my lack of understanding of God’s love for me. I believe that if I truly knew how much God loved me, then I’d have no difficulties in getting through this life into the next. Perhaps what I need to pray for more often is to get to know God better. If I knew Him better, I’d get a better understanding of how amazing his love is for me. Then, as my knowledge of Him grows, I expect my confidence and trust in him would also grow. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

Advertisement