ASK ~ Precious Victor Akah

Toddlers often cry to express their needs to their parents or older siblings because they lack the ability to communicate verbally. For instance, when a baby is hungry, they cry to signal their need for food. In response, the mother instinctively attends to the baby's needs as soon as they hear the cries.

As children grow and learn to speak, they transition from crying to verbal communication. Instead of crying for food or water, they will ask their parents directly, saying, "Mum or Dad, I want this or that. Can you please get it for me?"

What point am I trying to make? When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and is born again, they are considered a new believer, or a "baby Christian."

Initially, new Christians often experience a wave of blessings and good things without struggle. When they cry out to God in need, they may find that He responds quickly. However, over time, this immediate response may fade. When baby Christians cry and weep to get God's attention, they might find that nothing happens. This change can lead them to question whether God is still with them, thinking He has forgotten or abandoned them.

What they may not realize is that, like babies, God responds to their cries because they're still baby Christians who do not yet know how to verbally ask for what they want. As they grow, God expects them to start getting what they want by themselves, with their mouth.

If baby Christians refuse to grow and continue to rely on crying, they may face frustrations. In extreme cases, they might even begin to doubt the reality of their faith, the truth of Scripture, and God’s care for them.

It is essential for anyone who comes to Christ to mature, learning how to make requests and communicate with God effectively to get what they want, rather than remaining in a state of perpetual crying.

The Scriptures remind us: "ASK, and it shall be given unto you" (Matthew 7:7). It also states that whatever you "ASK for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). Furthermore, "And whatever you ASK in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13). James 4:2 emphasizes this by saying, "You do not have because you do not ASK God."

The key word in these scriptures is "ASK." Many baby Christians mistakenly replace this word with "CRY." You can be in Christ for years and still be a baby Christian if you haven’t matured in how to approach God for what you want. God meets not only your needs but also your wants, as long as they align with His will for asking.

To "ASK" means to make a request; it involves seeking an answer or information. When the Bible instructs us to "ASK," it calls us to approach God with our desires based on His promises and provisions in Scripture. For example, if you need favor, you should ask God for it in accordance with His promise in Psalm 5:12. If you need healing, remind Him of His promise in Isaiah 53:5 and receive your healing. Once you have asked in faith, believe that you have received what you've requested, and do not entertain doubts (Mark 11:24 emphasizes this).

This is how you can effectively communicate with God—by "ASKING." When you ask, remind God of His promises. If you pray without referencing Scripture, you are crying, not asking, and Heaven may not respond, because the instruction is clear: ASK, not cry.

Now that you understand this truth, use it to overcome any frustrations you may have been experiencing. Grow in your Christian faith and start receiving answers to your prayers.

From this day forward, ASK with faith, knowing that God is capable of fulfilling your requests, and be patient as you wait for Him to answer.

This is my birthday gift to you. I kindly ask for a word of prayer as I celebrate my birthday today.

God bless you.