How to Ask Effectively 2

Some of the ways to ask effectively are as follows;

i.             Proclaim it; ( See the following Scriptures; 2Chronicles 20:3, Ezra 8;21, Jeremiah 36:9, Jonah 3:5, Matthew 9:15, 17:21, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2, 14:23, 1 Corinthians 7:5, 2 Corinthians 6:5). When asking in fasting it’s important that we do not wish, but rather proclaim it.  Fasting should be proclaimed, whether as an individual or as a group.

What this does is, it help reminds us of the fact that we are waiting on the LORD.

Remember that we can also ask in prayer while not fasting and still be very effective.

I ‘m talking about asking effectively in general, whether while fasting or just asking in prayer.  When Solomon asked God for wisdom he was not recorded he was on a fast, but yet God answered him swiftly.

ii.           Ask of what you need and not what others have

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours? 1Kings 3:9.

One reason many of us ask and still do not receive what we re asking for even while in a long fast is because we do not ask according to God’s will and purpose for our live, but rather based on what our neighbors’ are having.

God is too just to give you what you do not need at the expense of what you truly need. In this light the prayer line, “LORD let Your will be done” becomes the most effective way one who have no clue as to how to pray about anything could ever pray. This way of praying can also be linked to praying in the spirit which gives us the liberty to allow the Holy Spirit to pray the will of God through us in any situation.

A quick look at the scenario of King Solomon you will realize that he asked for what he needed at a time as apposed to what he wanted in the future as a king and because of this single act of his, God gave Him what he wanted also.  Wealth and influence all through his reign as king. God knows what you want, all He wants from you in a place of prayer is to petition Him according to His will for your life (Your need) and your wants will come running to you.

Praying and asking for the will of God in a place of prayer is asking for what you truly need as suppose to what you want and this could be linked to Matthew 6:33  which is seeking His kingdom first above everything else. Solomon’ request for wisdom to rule God’s people rightly is an act of putting God’s kingdom first

How to Ask Effectively

Its that time of the year were millions of Christians from different denominations and various societal background petition heaven, God’s very throne making their request known to Him just as the scripture advices us to. 

Christians in general, individuals as well as  a congregation  go on a fast regularly within the course of the year as seem led by God through His Spirit, but always makes it a duty to observe some kind of fast or prayers during this time of the year. For some decades now most of them has specifically formed the discipline of declaring a fast every year especially within the first and second week of January as a sign of putting God first and asking for His guidance all through the new year.

It may also interest you to know that even some non believers observe this yearly ritual without blinking an eye just like other Christ faithful’. 

Most Christians sees this time of intense fasting and prayer as a means to first of all appreciate God for His provisions, mercies and protection over their lives and that of family and friends. Secondly they use this medium of separating themselves unto God through fasting and praying to ask Him for their various desires and expectations for the new year.

To most Christians this act and discipline is always a joy and something they look forward to as they have always returned with answers for their request. But to others it’s nothing but a mere ritual that they just have to observe because almost every one around them are observing it.

To some few although they have engaged in this act year in and year out, not one of their request made during this time of waiting in fasting and prayer on the LORD has ever produced something they could actually look back later during the course of the year and say; this is the fulfillment of what God said to me at the beginning of the year while waiting on Him.

These set of people tend to wonder if the testimonies of others who joined in the same act of fasting at the beginning of every year are actually true or they are just mere stories made up to get others to stick to the religious act come every January.

I do not know which category of people you fall under amongst the ones described above. But one thing I know is that God has promised to bless and turn the captivity of His people when ever they fast and pray and petition heaven in regards to any challenge they are facing.

“If My people who are called by my name , will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land’. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

I could give you more scriptures that speaks directly on fasting, but I want you to focus on this one right here. Fasting is one among the various ways a person could humble his / her self before the LORD, denying your self the pleasure of enjoying your normal daily meal for a stipulated period of time.

It could be for some hours, days or weeks while seeking the face of God for a particular reason. Note; fasting could also be the abstaining of one self from other things apart from food. But in this article I’m addressing the general kind of fasting and asking effectively through prayer which is the abstinence from food for a period of time that most people are used to and practice regularly but yet fail to receive its benefits.    

God's Wisdom

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments." - Psalm 111:10 NIV

Have you ever thought about mankind's endless search for truth in this world? Think about it. Even in the twenty-first century, in a time of the greatest knowledge in the history of man with all the technological developments that have accelerated the rate of acquiring knowledge, the restless mind of man still struggles with discovering the reason for his existence.

Part of the trouble is looking for that answer through worldly wisdom versus Godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom leaves you empty and a bit cynical. But Godly wisdom is different. It reveals to us ultimate truth and that truth is found in Jesus Christ. Take time to pursue ultimate truth in the person of Jesus and in the teachings of His Word, the Bible, and you will find wisdom that is out of this world.

Discover the wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world, and in the process you will have discovered your answer for life. I promise you - this is the truth

Learning with you- Job 23:15, Psalm 19:9, Psalm 119:98

Glue the Pieces Together

Many of the people who read these words grew up in broken families.  If they were honest, they would admit to being abused and neglected—and they do not want to treat their sons and daughters they way they were treated.  There are people who would think, "well, just don't do it."  Easier said than done.  People who have been abused at times end up doing the same to their family members. 

If you feel as though this is your story, there is hope for you to break the cycle.  Maybe, when it comes to love, your home was emotionally starved.  As an adult, you wonder if you will ever truly love your spouse.  Just remember, all love begins and ends with God.

If you had the wrong definition of love modeled to you while you were growing up, then you will not know how to love the way God loves.  However, He is more than willing to teach you.  Don't worry about getting everything right.  Just ask Him to show you how to love your family the way He loves you—and He will.

Baby steps are quite acceptable here.  Begin slowly.  When you feel emotionally charged and want to strike out at one of your family members, think about how patient and loving God is with you.  Slowly but surely, He will build His character into your life and love will overflow into your family.

There are broken lives all around us, but God can glue the pieces back together

Still hungry?  Psalm 78:69, 121:4

Waiting God's Way

David was the anointed king of Israel, but before he could enjoy the realization of God's promises, he had to go through a season of testing and waiting. During this time, he was forced to hide out in caves and literally run for his life. King Saul, who was bent on David's destruction, continually hunted for him. Perhaps the Lord has given you a promise through His Word. You are ready to see it unfold, but it hasn't happened yet. Though you have waited, it seems that there is no hope on the horizon. Remember, God's timing is perfect.

He knows what you need, when you need it. He knows that if we are going to learn how to walk with Him in the daylight or the good times, we must learn first to trust Him in times of darkness.

At some point, each of us has waited for God's promises to come. David may have wondered when the Lord would open the door to blessing. However, he never allowed his thoughts to turn to doubts. In fact, in Psalm 18:17, 19, he praises God for the victory he knew would be his one day. "(God) delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me … He brought me forth also into a broad (or spacious) place, He rescued me, because He delighted in me."

When God delivers you from trial and trouble, you can be sure that He will bring you out into a spacious place of joy and delight - one that also will glorify Him and add encouragement to your life. Have you been pushing and shoving in an effort to move God on to the place where you think you should be? If so, stop and be determined to wait on God. The time you spend waiting in darkness will one day be rewarded by the Father of lights (James 1:17).

Still Hungry?  Psalm 38:18, Psalm 59:1, Judges 18:26, Psalm 143:9