Why Don’t We Ask God for What We Want?

Part 1: GOD ALREADY KNOWS

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11 NIV

As a child, my daughter would often hint at what she wanted rather than ask directly: I see a McDonald’s over there. or Mommy, isn’t this a pretty shirt? The expectation was that I would recognize the underlying request (Can we go to McDonald’s? Will you buy me this shirt?) and respond favorably.

I never understood why she did that until I turned the lens on myself. I, too, sometimes throw hints at God, hoping he will recognize the underlying request: Why is that medication so high? or I shopped at Lowe’s. (I’ll let you figure that one 😊) Why don’t I just ask God?

What prevents us from petitioning God, especially since Matthew 7:9-11 tells us that God is waiting to hear our appeals? In this series, I propose several reasons why we fail to submit our supplications to God and why we should.

Failure to Ask #1: God Already Knows

I was in the habit of responding to my daughter’s oblique hints with a clarifying question. My question was the question she should have asked. Eventually, she assumed a hint was all I needed because “omniscient” Mommy always figured it out.

Mommy wasn’t all-knowing, but we do have an omniscient presence in our lives: God. He knew us before we were born. He knows every hair on our heads. He knows our every need before we even ask[1]. So, why ask?

Even though I knew what my child’s desire was, I wanted and expected her to state her request. Likewise, as his children, God knows what we need, yet he expects to hear our entreaty. Why?

Asking establishes relationship.

Just because God knows doesn’t mean God grants. What God wants first and foremost is a relationship with us. A relationship involves communication; we speak to each other.  To ask continues the conversation between our Father and us. Heavenly Father, please heal my body. Father in Heaven, please step into this situation at work; guide me to a resolution. Lord, I need transportation. Placing our requests at his feet binds that familial relationship of loving Father and child.

Asking acknowledges the sovereignty of God.

How often do you seek help from someone who doesn’t have the power, resources, or knowledge to help? When we petition God, we admit that he is omnipotent. I propose that asking God is a form of worship because our plea demonstrates our reverence for his sovereignty. Our appeal says, “God, I know you’re The Great I Am. You are the supreme giver of all things.” Placing our requests at his feet magnifies our God in heaven.

Asking builds trust.

To solicit help is humbling. It puts us in a vulnerable state because it exposes a real or perceived weakness. Vulnerability is scary; thus, we need to trust those we petition for help will not abuse us.

Consider: If we fail to share our desires and wants with God, does that mean we don’t trust him? The Bible is replete with verses, stories, prophesies, declarations of God’s faithfulness and love for us. It is trust in God that allows us to know God hears and will respond in his time. Placing our requests at his feet bolsters our faith in God.

Reflection

Just because God knows does not mean you shouldn’t ask.

What have you needed or wanted but didn’t ask God because “God already knows what I need”? Now is the time to pray that prayer. Don’t analyze it. Don’t overthink it. Just offer God your heart.

---

NOTE: You may notice that I no longer capitalize divine pronouns. What I have learned and adopted from attending Christian writers’ conferences is that divine pronouns don’t have to be capitalized. Many professional style guides have eliminated divine pronoun capitalization. Just in case you were wondering….

---

[1] Matthew 6:8