Ask - by Stephanie McFadden

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. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10 NIV

I have heard the phrase “Ask and you shall receive” my whole life. Only in the past few years, have I really thought about what I asked/was asking God for...and what He gave me. 

As a kid, I wanted toys for Christmas. Check.

As the “unpopular band geek”, I wanted a date to prom. Check.

In college, I prayed I would find a good job and the right husband. Check and Check!

I prayed for a baby- We were blessed with Kaitlyn. Check!

I prayed for another baby.....and by this time, God must have said “ok, she’s ready”.

In late fall 2010, Rick and I had one child, and after a few years of various doctors and specialists, we were still hoping to expand our family. During the same time, we were also trying to find a church. On this specific Sunday, we sat in the back of another new church, listening to the pastor talk, but I was distracted. I started praying- but this time, instead of praying for my own struggles and wants for another baby, I asking for His desires and directions for my life. I knew I needed help only He could provide.   It was at that moment that it felt like I was the only person in that church and that God gave that pastor the exact words I needed to hear. There is no doubt in my mind it was the Holy Spirit working on me.  It was like a flood- I felt an overwhelming sensation of hope, love, peace and comfort that I never had before.  He filled a void in my life I didn’t even know was there. For the first time in my life, I had more than a “religion”... I had true faith and started a relationship with Him. 

I prayed and God came through. But, not in the way I was planning. I just wanted a baby. God had other plans- He made me wait. He made me struggle. He made me vulnerable. He made me realize that I need Him not as a safety net, but as a life line.  He loved me enough to answer my prayers, my wants, and my needs.

I asked for Strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced for wait.

I ask for love and God gave me trouble people to help.

I ask for favors and God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted.

I received everything I needed.

My prayers have all been answered.

• Author unknown

There are days I am scared to pray for something- not because I doubt God, but because I know God will answer. I know God will give me what I NEED--- but that’s not always what I want.  It scares me to know what work He needs to do on me. .... But the phrase “do not be afraid” is written SO many times in the bible, that I just have to keep my faith in Him.  All I can do is pray and trust in God... He knows what we are capable of, He knows what we are supposed to do. He knows what we need.

This life is not perfect... but look around at what you have and how far you have come. It has to be God. If God has pushed us this far along our journey, we can only keep trusting Him for all of our tomorrows.
Be bold in your faith. Go ahead and ask.... and wait to see how God answers your prayers. Watch what God can do through you.