We Receive Not Because We Ask Not

By Josephine Lim-Weston

Two days ago I was on a long train journey and it was packed with many passengers standing like me. I was hoping for a seat, but we had passed so many stations and still nobody stood up to disembark except a lady, who gave up her seat for a mother carrying her child. I was tired after some time holding on to the safety bar with my stretched arm. It made me feel frustrated as to why no seats available after so long. It suddenly dawned on me that instead of harbouring frustration and anger at men who don't care to offer up their seats and some even competing seats with women, I should channel my focus and energy on praying instead. So instead of being angry, I prayed for people in the carriage. I felt more peaceful and anger dissipate more and more so that I didn't realise I was even angry before.

Then a light bulb moment happened, I should have prayed for vacant seats before boarding. So I prayed that next time, when I board the train, God will provide me with seat and if not He will direct me to the soonest available seat. Yesterday I found seats immediately and today a seat was available for me by the next stop. Praise the Lord!

John 16
(Jesus said)23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Luke 11
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

So now I realised I've missed out on God's blessings on numerous occasions as I have taken things for granted and not involved Him in my life as much as possible. For so long we have not awakened to the truth of how blessed we could have been if we have made Him central, by committing all our plans, every area of our lives, our every journey and decisions to Him. How much more blessed we could have been.

Not only we should ask from the Lord but by doing so we acknowledge that we can't do as well or as smoothly or as successfully or as fulfilling without Him.

We should also learn to ask for help and advice from one another instead of depending on our strength. Don't suffer silently. Learn to reach out as surely there will be someone whom God will send that will be willing to stop and lend you a helping hand or offering you a word of advise or even to pray alongside with you. So ask!

Life could have been simpler and less of a hassle if we have asked of God first. You'll see the difference when you ask God and involve Him in your life. The peace, joy, strength, patience, confident trust, creativity, ideas, solutions, wisdom, favour and fulfillment that come with it are priceless.