Sorrow, loss, sickness, finances and the pressing needs of life make us say things. Some needs, like wanting the salvation of a loved one, bear heavily on our hearts.

I remember saying once to the Lord that I’d do most anything to see (one that I love) come into Your life. Actually, I think my sentiment was more like, ‘I’d give my life to have them walking in Your salvation.’

Then I heard something. “Yes, but would you pray?”

I was struck. I was exposed. I knew immediately the weakness of my cry. I felt desperation strongly enough to want to lay my life down to gain what I longed for. But my practice in prayer betrayed my sentiment as more feeling than faith.

Is my time not my life? Is my life not His?

My confidence in prayer has been woeful. I have not been a consistent pray-er. Or, a believing pray-er. I have been an impulsive, situational pray-er. I have been a spaghetti pray-er - throwing a noodle against the wall to see if it sticks.

I have observed over the years how I sincerely pray for this or that, and if a desired outcome occurs, I say ‘thank You’ to God. If it doesn’t occur, I barely notice because I’ve long since moved on. Generally, my expectation for the outcomes I desire is low. My prayers have been more to assuage my sadness or guilt about a situation, or to satisfy the nagging sense that I ought to do something.

I’m aware of how ridiculous this must sound. But it has been my reality. I have far to grow in this most central element of faith.

Jesus says, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. That’s all He really asks, isn’t it? To believe Him and to ask of Him.

In one of the most astounding, emphatic and limitless declarations in the entire Bible, Jesus announces: And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Mt. 21:22

As if that were not enough, Jesus explains the open secret - the modus operandi of His Kingdom to those who believe and abide in Him: So I say to you,
ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.

Now to ensure this is not missed or misunderstood, in the most profound emphasis, He swears to the result:

For everyone who asks, receives;
and he who seeks, finds;
and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

Here, in staggering simplicity, the Lord of Lords hands to you and me the most intimately powerful gift/weapon in all worlds, and tells us how to use it. It is the gift that never fails to give and the weapon that conquers all.

See the extent of the Father’s love? See how He delights in lavishing his gifts, His own Holy Spirit, upon us?