Asking

Asking as an aspect of human relationships

Examples of everyday requests

Jos 4:20–22; Ec 7:10; 1 Pe 3:15

See also Ex 3:22; Dt 32:7; 1 Sa 12:19 The people asked for a king; 2 Ki 2:3; Ne 2:1–2; Da 2:10–11; Mt 2:1–2 the Magi seek the king of the Jews; Lk 2:46 Jesus Christ asks questions in the temple; Jn 4:9; Ro 16:1–2; Ga 2:9–10; Phm 21

Examples of stronger appeals

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

See also Ge 50:17; Ex 5:15; Lk 23:20; Ac 25:3; 1 Th 4:1

Asking as an aspect of prayer

General petitions

Mt 7:7–11; Php 4:6

See also Dt 18:16; Jdg 6:39; 1 Sa 1:20; 1 Ch 16:4; 2 Ch 6:32–33; Job 6:8–9; Ps 5:3; Pr 30:7–8; Mt 9:37–38; 1 Ti 2:1

Frequent requests for guidance or insight

2 Sa 2:1; Eph 1:17

See also Ge 25:21–22; Ex 33:7; Jos 9:14; 1 Sa 23:1–2; 2 Ki 8:7–8; 1 Ch 21:29–30; 2 Ch 20:3; Is 58:2; Je 10:21; Col 1:9; Jas 1:5

The grounds for asking

According to God’s will

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Trusting in God’s great mercy

See also Da 9:18

In the name of Jesus Christ

John 14:13 ESV

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

See also Jn 16:23–27

In faith

Mt 21:22; Jas 1:6