And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 1 John 5:14 (KJV).

REFLECT:
Making requests is a part of the human experience. At certain points in our lives, every one of us will be allowed to request some form of favor or goodwill.

One of the most crucial times people engage in making requests is when in dire need, in seasons of distress and desperation. So how do we make a request?

Very simply put, it is through the medium of asking. It is an act of asking or appealing for something politely and formally. We know how a lot of the time, it could be quite difficult to ask for favors from people. The person doing the asking may have all kinds of feelings, or emotions going on in their mind. It could be feelings of shame, fear, loss of dignity, honor, or even being entitled.

The one who asks, however, is at the mercy of the one who is supposed to be the benefactor, as the request could be granted or denied. It depends on the so-called benefactor.

However, asking is just one part of the process of making a request, the other parts of the entire puzzle are equally as important but one may rightly say the most trying aspects. These are the aspects of ‘waiting,’ and ‘expecting.’

So how does this process work? How can we benefit from the entire process? Our Bible verse for today tells us a whole lot. In this Bible verse, Jesus encourages us to employ the medium of making requests.

Jesus speaking to His disciples back then, and now tells us to feel free at asking for anything from Him, but we must do it within the perimeters of the will of God.

He goes on to tell us that when we ask in accordance with the will of God, He hears us, and since He hears us we automatically get whatsoever we have requested.

The other aspects of the process, which are the wait time, expectations, and receiving will depend on us. We have to expect and receive by faith. In the interim, we must allow God through the Holy Spirit horn and develop our faith and character so that we can stand as good stewards worthy of God’s gift of grace.

Therefore, God intends that we walk away from this experience with the full package of His grace and reward.

God’s way of answering us is so different from man’s. God through this process wants to give us total freedom from the mentality of being bound by situations and circumstances. Encouraging us to believe, and join our faith with Him to conquer every fear and limitation.

However, in the case of man whether we know it or not, especially when we try to play God ends up keeping everyone more bound and enslaved to the situations and circumstances we keep finding ourselves in.

A big takeaway from this discussion is that from whichever side of the aisle we find ourselves, whether as a beneficiary or a benefactor we must act following the will of God. We must bring God into the picture and allow Him to dictate and direct our actions.

As we make our requests unto God, we must follow Kingdom principles and allow Jesus to direct us on the right ways to ask and receive.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

Bringing My Requests to God.

FATHER GOD, here I am. You know the hopes and dreams I have for the future. You know the problems I am currently facing, and the struggles I’ve already overcome. You are with me, and You are for me. Please align my will with Yours as I bring my requests to You today. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.