Ask

What do we ask for when we pray? Often it is for things or that things will happen in a certain way. Yes, our Father does want us to bring everything to Him in prayer. But where is our heart behind our requests?

For my personal devotions I have been in the books of the Kings. In 1 kings chapter 3, God speaks to Solomon in a dream, and tells him to ask anything and He will give it. Solomon could have asked for anything, Health, Wealth, Land, Power. But he instead asks the Lord for Wisdom that he may rightly rule God's people, Israel.

"And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days". - 1 Kings 3:13-16

What an example we have in the request of a king!

I have been pondering this account on Solomon for a few days. For your family devotions we just started reading James. This thought ties right in.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it (wisdom) shall be given him. But let him ask (for wisdom) in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." - James 1:5-6

So often when situations arise in our life we ask God to work in it according to how we see fit. Rather we should be asking for wisdom for the situation that we may respond in a godly way and that Christ would be glorified.

Do our requests please the Lord?