You Do Not Have Because You Do Not Ask

How much has NOT happened in your life because you either didn't pray or stopped praying or prayed with selfish motives? See James 4:2,3 and Matthew 7:7.

Every time I come across those open-ended promises for prayer in Matthew 7 and Luke 11 I am astounded at several things:

• That I have a Father in Heaven who desires to move heaven and earth in response to MY prayers! HE is the sovereign One. But HE has willed that HIS sovereign hand moves in response to the prayer of His children...like me...and you. Is this not astounding? Is this not sobering? Does it make you want to pray?
• That I do not pray MORE!!!!!!! With the kind of promises that my Father gives to the pray-er, why do I not pray more? More...for lost friends and family. More...for godly desires and passions that are missing from or faint in my heart. More...for His work in my church. More...for opportunities to witness to my neighbors. More...for His grace in the elections in my country which seem to exhibit all that is sinful in the human race. More...for the work of missionaries and church planters in the dark 1/3 of the world. More...for my relationship with my wife. More...for my parenting. More...for my PRAYING!!
• That my Father in Heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (see Luke 11:13). This does not mean giving the Holy Spirit to indwell, but to give the Holy Spirit to empower with wisdom and virtue and character and courage and a spirit of prayer. How PERSONAL the Father's answer to the prayer of His children...He says He Himself will come and be the answer to our prayers!

"Father, I do not just want to be astounded at these things, I want to PRAY MORE! Help me. Fill me with Yourself in the Person of Your Spirit. Empower me to pray, to KEEP on praying, and to pray with pure motives. In Jesus' name, Amen."