Are Your Prayers Specific?

Philippians 4:6 KJV

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The last few days and weeks I’ve been hearing more and more about prayers, and the need for them to be specific.

Many of us do pray to God, but if you are like me in some cases I may not ask God in detail for what I need or want.  Yes, God knows what we need before we ask, but when I think about it in terms of a parent.  The child still has to ask the parent for food, clothes, school supplies, and other necessities. 

Of course, the parent is not naive to the fact their child has the basic needs.  But the child may have certain things that he or she needs or wants and in order to obtain such things the parent must be informed.

When Christmas comes around I always ask my children to give me a list of their wishes.  Without the list, I risk not meeting their specific need or want.  So to avoid disappointments and to ensure they have a joyous Christmas, having the list helps to fulfill the desired outcome.

Many times the scripture is quoted that God knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), but that doesn’t mean that we should pray vaguely unto God.  If you want a house with three bedrooms, three full baths, three-car garage, why not ask God specifically, rather than ask God to bless you with a house.

If you want God to bless you with a spouse.  Well, no one knows better than you that you desire for him to be God-fearing, responsible, loving, etc.  However, you need to pray to God and make all your requests known to Him as the word of God states in Philippians 4:6. 

There is no reason to hold back.  You don’t have to walk around suffering, guessing, and overwhelmed with stress and anxiety because of something that is lacking in your life.

There is a father in heaven with wide arms and a big heart waiting to give you everything you ask for and more.  Please don’t ever feel as though you are a burden to God, or your requests are too big for Him, or you’re not good enough for Him to grant your requests.  

If God is being transparent with us that means the door is open for us to reciprocate.  In His word, it tells us that He wants to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).  However, in order for Him to do so, you must go boldly to the throne of God, with full assurance and confidence believing that you deserve everything you are asking for and more.

Jabez is a perfect example of not holding back on his requests to God.  He knew what he wanted - an enlarged coast, the hand of God to be with him, protection from evil, and not to grieve.  The scripture 1 Chronicles 4:10 tells us that God granted his request.  Not some but all.  God will do the same for you, He just needs to know your specific requests.

Be blessed!  

Author Harriet Lane