Are You "Asking"

Introduction

Charles Inglis, the well-known evangelist, tells the following story of George Muller, and it is worthy of a place under the heading of `Answered Prayers'. When I first came to America, thirty-one years ago, I crossed the Atlantic with the Captain of a steamer who was one of the most devoted men I ever knew, and when we were off the banks of Newfoundland he said to me: `Mr. Inglis, the last time I crossed here, five weeks ago, one of the most extraordinary things happened that has completely revolutionised the whole of my Christian life. Up to that time I was one of your ordinary Christians. We had a man of God on board, George Muller of Bristol. I had been on that bridge for twenty-two hours, and never left it. I was startled by someone tapping me on the shoulder. It was George Muller. "Captain," he said, "I have come to tell you that I must be in Quebec on Saturday afternoon." (This was Wednesday). It is impossible,' I said. `Very well, if your ship can't take me, but I have never broken an engagement in fifty years.' I would willingly help you. How can I? I am helpless,' said the Captain.

`Let us go down to the chart room and pray,' said George Muller. I looked at the man of God, and I thought to myself, what lunatic asylum could the man have come from? I never heard of such a thing. `Mr. Muller,' I said, `do you know how dense the fog is?' `No,' he replied, 'my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God Who controls every circumstance of my life.' He got down on his knees and prayed one of the most simple prayers. I muttered to myself, 'That would suit a children's class where the children were not more than eight years old.' The burden of his prayer was something like this: 'O Lord, if it is consistent with Thy will, please remove this fog in five minutes, Thou knowest the engagement Thou didst make for me in Quebec for Saturday. I believe it is Thy will.'

When he finished I was going to pray, but he put his hand on my shoulder and told me not to pray. 'First, you do not believe He will; and second, I believe He has, and there is no need to pray.' And, as George Muller said, the fog had lifted.

I wonder this morning…would you say that you live an asking kind of life? Do you find it a habit to ask God for things you need or want? Are you persistent in your asking? Do you ask believing you will have what you ask? Do you ask with such tenacity that you would be said to hold onto God until He has answered your request…whether that be wit ha yes, no or not yet?

Do you pray prayers and quickly forget what you have prayed? If so you cannot say of yourself that “I live an asking kind of life.” An asking kind of life is one in which a person’s prayers are lifted with such intensity as to be seared upon the mind and soul.

An asking man or woman is one in whom it can be said there is a passion, zeal and desperation that will not let God go…and such praying leaves an impression on the person as well as their Lord.

This passage is not simply a charge to the apostles or hearers of Jesus’ day. It says that for everyone who asks he or she will receive. And not just receive but receive the very best answer indeed. The God of infinite wisdom and power…with love unbounded and perfect intentions would bring about the best answer for us that could ever be…one that prospers our way and brings glory to our King.

So…are you ready to live an asking kind of life yet?

The Way To An Asking Life

If we are to have an asking kind of life we have to set time aside to do just that…ask. We must make time to pray. Folks will say, “I don’t have time to pray” but the reality is a humbling one…we don’t have time not to pray. We dare not live a moment of time unless it be a prayed over one.

I believe one of the most tragic realizations upon our first steps into heaven is the power, blessing and resources of God that was all around us if we had simply taken the time to ask for them.

Scripture teaches us in James 4:2 that we have not because we ask not.

Jesus makes clear in our passage that if we ask it will be given to us. What will be given? That for which we ask! This is not to make God a cosmic genie who gives us out three wishes and then some. This is a matter of God’s glory…God gives us our answer and does so in such a way to bring greatest glory to Himself.

We live in a world with natural law. I can pray for the ability to fly all day and night but this is a prayer God rarely if ever has answered. Why? Because what glory is brought to Him by breaking His natural law to allow me to soar like the birds on the clouds?

1 John 5:14-15

1 John 5:14–15 CSB

This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.

God’s will is important…Jesus says God is going to answer our prayers but He will do so in accordance to what will be glory to Himself. God’s glory is the highest of all ends. There is nothing greater nor better than to be a part of bringing glory to God. We may not grasp the full measure of that statement on this side of heaven but it is true nonetheless.

Some folks cease to pray at this point. Knowing their will to be subservient to God’s they give up on seeking the hope of their hearts. This is where so many believers get it wrong. God is going to give you the desire you seek or He will change your desires and make you even happier with something better.

The reason this result is rare among believers today is simply this…too few pray persistent prayers and instead quit when their prayers are not answered in their time. Or their prayers seem to big and give up quickly when there seems to be no perceived move toward the answer they seek.

Conclusion

What are you asking God for this morning? Do you know? Many people do not have a real prayer list of any kind. They don’t have anything they are REALLY asking from God. Every prayer is new, different and extemporaneous. …MAKE A LIST

Are you persistent in your asking? Are you willing to pray every day? Throughout the day? Day after day and year after year if need be?

Do you have faith?

Dr. Thomas N. Carter, the ex-convict, tells a thrilling story of the faith of his mother who followed him with her prayers for many years until she listened to him preach the gospel in answer to her prayer. On one occasion, while he was in prison, his mother received a telegram from the prison stating that her son was dead, and asked what she wanted done with his body. His mother was stunned at receipt of the telegram for a few minutes, then retired to her prayer closet after instructing others in the house not to disturb her. She got her Bible and opening it, spread it before her, with the telegram beside it. "Oh, God," she began, "I have believed the promise you gave me in your Word, that I would live to see Tom saved and preach the Gospel, and now a telegram comes saying he is dead. Lord, which is true, this telegram or your Word?" When she rose from her knees, having won the victory, she wired the prison: "There must be some mistake. My boy is not dead." And there was a mistake. Tom Carter lived and was recently in our church preaching, with his mother seated on the platform.

Another Illustration: Mr. Spurgeon once came to Bristol. He was to preach in the three largest Baptist chapels in the city, and he hoped to collect three hundred pounds, which were needed immediately for his orphanage. He got the money. Retiring to bed on the last night of his visit, Spurgeon heard a voice which, to him, was the voice of the Lord, saying, `Give those three hundred pounds to George Muller."But, Lord,' answered Spurgeon, 'I need it for my dear children in London.' Again came the word, `Give those three hundred pounds to George Muller.' It was only when he had said, 'Yes, Lord, I will,' that sleep came to him. The following morning he made his way to Muller's Orphanages, and found George Muller on his knees before an open Bible, praying. The famous preacher placed his hand on his shoulder and said, `George, God told me to give you these three hundred pounds.' `Oh,' said Muller, 'dear Spurgeon, I have been asking the Lord for that very sum.' And those two prayerful men rejoiced together.

Spurgeon returned to London. On his desk, he found a letter awaiting him. He opened it to find it contained three hundred guineas. `There!' cried he with joy, 'the Lord has returned my three hundred pounds with three hundred shillings interest.'A pound is equal to 20 shillings, a guinea is equal to 21–or at least they used to be, since guineas and shillings, strictly speaking, aren’t around anymore.

Are you asking for God’s glory?

Are you willing to praise God for something better than you asked for?

A skillful surgeon recently undertook the responsibility of performing a serious operation on the eyes of an Eastern monarch which proved highly successful. After the king's recovery the problem of presenting his account puzzled the doctor, for he was dubious as to what figure would correctly estimate the value of the result achieved; as in Eastern countries it is a serious wrong to charge the king more or less than the actual value. Taking a blank billhead the doctor wrote across it, "The king can do no wrong," and respectfully submitted it to the monarch. His answer was a letter enclosing a sum far beyond his highest hopes. When we know not what to pray for, let us leave it to our Heavenly King, who doeth all things well.—