Fighting Self-Sufficiency With Prayer
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24.
One of the things that keeps us from getting through to God is prayerful inactivity. We think things like, “I got myself into this mess and it's my responsibility to get myself out.” That is one of Satan's biggest whispers. It is a lie to say it is all about you and that it is all up to you. But Jesus said we should ask for His help. We should run to Him whether everything is okay or everything is falling apart.
In John 16, Jesus is telling His disciples, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:23-24).
Jesus is giving the disciples then and us now a guarantee that whatever we ask for according to His will and in His name, we will receive. We don’t have to figure things out on our own. We don’t have to depend on ourselves. We can run to Him and ask for His help and His hand. The truth of the matter is though that many believers live a life of self-sufficiency. They only pray when they need God, but that’s not what the Bible tells us to do.
There is a story about a little boy who said he prayed every night. His dad asked him, “Do you pray during the day?” He said, “No, sir, I am not scared then.” That’s the reality of many Christians today. So often people wait until they are scared to pray. But we need to be praying all the time so we lead lives with no fear. In other words, you don't pray because you don't feel the need. When you don't feel the need, you are in great need. So anytime is a good time to pray.
One of the things that keeps us from getting through to God is prayerful inactivity. We think things like, “I got myself into this mess and it's my responsibility to get myself out.” That is one of Satan's biggest whispers. It is a lie to say it is all about you and that it is all up to you. But Jesus said we should ask for His help. We should run to Him whether everything is okay or everything is falling apart.
In John 16, Jesus is telling His disciples, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:23-24).
Jesus is giving the disciples then and us now a guarantee that whatever we ask for according to His will and in His name, we will receive. We don’t have to figure things out on our own. We don’t have to depend on ourselves. We can run to Him and ask for His help and His hand. The truth of the matter is though that many believers live a life of self-sufficiency. They only pray when they need God, but that’s not what the Bible tells us to do.
There is a story about a little boy who said he prayed every night. His dad asked him, “Do you pray during the day?” He said, “No, sir, I am not scared then.” That’s the reality of many Christians today. So often people wait until they are scared to pray. But we need to be praying all the time so we lead lives with no fear. In other words, you don't pray because you don't feel the need. When you don't feel the need, you are in great need. So anytime is a good time to pray.
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3 Comments
AMEN! When I was younger I often caught myself going to the Lord in prayer over our meals and when I was having troubles in life - it took a while for me to realize that we should seek him ALL the time in prayer not just during the bad!
I have friends that say that when you pray to God and ask for something, that you need to do something to help Him out. They found out the hard way that you need to be directed by the spirit as what to do. When I pray about something I want to know I'm doing the right thing that He wants me to do
Absolutely excellent, accurate and full of truth. Amen and thank you Jesus!!!