In times of difficulty tend to pray “just” prayers. We pray, “Lord, we ask you to protect us and provide for us… If you will help us in this situation, we’d be so thankful.” It is as if we are saying, “Lord, I hate to bother You with this, but…” It may sound humble, but it is not scriptural, and it demonstrates a lack of faith and confidence in approaching God. Let us examine multiple references of this truth in scripture:
The author of Hebrews wrote, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (4:16 NIV).”
In John’s first epistle he reminded us, “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him (3:21-22).” And “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him (5:14-15).”
Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory… forever and ever (3:20-21).”
And finally, Jesus told his disciples, “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! (Mt 7:11 NIV)."
As a redeemed child of God, you can approach your loving heavenly Father with confidence, knowing that whatever you need, He will provide it—and much more!
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