Growing up I was often reluctant to ask my Mom and Dad for things to the point that I would have my sister do the asking. The problem then became that a lot of the time she would not pose the “ask” correctly and I’d become frustrated with the outcome.

Sometimes I’ve reflected upon that in relation to the “asking” of my requests before God. Sometimes I fail to pose the “ask” correctly and then I’m frustrated with the results. Quite often I fail to ask believing it’s actually going to happen. I feel as though what I’m asking for is such a small detail that my Heavenly Father is more concerned with much larger aspects of the universe. Often, my requests are half hearted, failing to be clearly stated toward the listening ear of a Father that stands ready to hear from me.

In Matthew 17 we find the lack of faith exhibited by the disciples. “ Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:19-20

Our Heavenly Father has given us the gift of prayer, the opportunity to come before Him believing not only that He will hear but that He will answer. Not only do we possess the gift of prayer, we possess the power of prayer. With God, the “ask” is always answered correctly, it’s up to us to come before God knowing that He will answer.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

God stands ready to hear us, but He wants us to come before Him in boldness believing that He cares about our request and that He stands ready to answer. A half-hearted request is not of much importance, but a request that comes boldly from the heart of a child to their Father captures His attention.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:21-22

We have been given His promise, let us with boldness grasp the gift we have been given.

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6