Don't Ask; Don't Tell
Although the title sounds like it, this is not about the military’s policy concerning homosexuality. It is the application of those words to a spiritual issue.
We don’t ask when we should ask. James points out, “You do not have because you do not ask” (Jas. 4:2).
With all the promises concerning answers to prayer, why would we not pray? Is it pride? Is it that we think we can handle the situation by ourselves without God’s help? Is it unbelief? Is it that we do not believe that God will answer or we don’t believe He will answer in the way we want Him to respond? Is it forgetfulness?
Whatever the reason, the point is we don’t ask and because we don’t ask, we do not have. There is a story about a man who died and went to heaven. As he was being shown around, his angelic guide came upon a warehouse full of all kinds of things. The newly-arrived resident asked, “What is all of this?” The angel is said to have replied, “This is all of the things people would have received had they only asked, but they didn’t ask, so it’s still here.”
Don’t let “Don’t ask” be your prayer policy.
We don’t tell when we should tell. When God answers prayer we should not only thank Him, we should tell others. The Psalmist said that he would praise the Lord with his “whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (Ps. 111:1).
Some do not tell anyone. Others only tell their family and close friends. The Psalmist told the whole congregation! What an impact that would have on people if every time they turned around at church they heard of an answer to prayer. They might even get the ideas that God is alive and in the prayer-answering business.
Don’t let “Don’t tell” be your prayer policy.
Let us pray. Pray about everything. Paul says that “in everything” we are to let our request be known (Phil. 4:6). Peter says cast “all” your care upon Him, “for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). I have taken the Lord up on His invitation when I’ve lost my keys. I should not be, but on many occasions, I am surprised at how quickly I have found them. While I am confessing, I must also admit that when I get that kind of answer, I usually only tell my wife, and I don’t always do that.
A clarification is in order. The Lord promises to answer all prayers that are according to His will (1 Jn. 5:15-16). He does not promise to grant our every request, but does invite us to ask Him about everything that concerns us. In those cases, He may grant the request. He is a loving Father. On the other hand, He may not. If He chooses not to answer in the affirmative, we can rest assured that it is in our best interest (He love us) and, in the meantime, we can enjoy His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
So ask. Ask about everything. Your gracious Father may grant your request.
Tell. Tell somebody and, when appropriate, tell the congregation of saints.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/302010
We don’t ask when we should ask. James points out, “You do not have because you do not ask” (Jas. 4:2).
With all the promises concerning answers to prayer, why would we not pray? Is it pride? Is it that we think we can handle the situation by ourselves without God’s help? Is it unbelief? Is it that we do not believe that God will answer or we don’t believe He will answer in the way we want Him to respond? Is it forgetfulness?
Whatever the reason, the point is we don’t ask and because we don’t ask, we do not have. There is a story about a man who died and went to heaven. As he was being shown around, his angelic guide came upon a warehouse full of all kinds of things. The newly-arrived resident asked, “What is all of this?” The angel is said to have replied, “This is all of the things people would have received had they only asked, but they didn’t ask, so it’s still here.”
Don’t let “Don’t ask” be your prayer policy.
We don’t tell when we should tell. When God answers prayer we should not only thank Him, we should tell others. The Psalmist said that he would praise the Lord with his “whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (Ps. 111:1).
Some do not tell anyone. Others only tell their family and close friends. The Psalmist told the whole congregation! What an impact that would have on people if every time they turned around at church they heard of an answer to prayer. They might even get the ideas that God is alive and in the prayer-answering business.
Don’t let “Don’t tell” be your prayer policy.
Let us pray. Pray about everything. Paul says that “in everything” we are to let our request be known (Phil. 4:6). Peter says cast “all” your care upon Him, “for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). I have taken the Lord up on His invitation when I’ve lost my keys. I should not be, but on many occasions, I am surprised at how quickly I have found them. While I am confessing, I must also admit that when I get that kind of answer, I usually only tell my wife, and I don’t always do that.
A clarification is in order. The Lord promises to answer all prayers that are according to His will (1 Jn. 5:15-16). He does not promise to grant our every request, but does invite us to ask Him about everything that concerns us. In those cases, He may grant the request. He is a loving Father. On the other hand, He may not. If He chooses not to answer in the affirmative, we can rest assured that it is in our best interest (He love us) and, in the meantime, we can enjoy His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
So ask. Ask about everything. Your gracious Father may grant your request.
Tell. Tell somebody and, when appropriate, tell the congregation of saints.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/302010