"Let your requests be known unto God."
Philippians 4:7
One simple definition of prayer could be to "let your requests be known unto God." We understand that prayer is more than asking or requesting. It includes thanksgiving, confession and praise. However, making requests of God is an important element of prayer. A woman said to her friend, "I often pray, but I never ask God for anything. It makes me feel selfish." Her friend said, "You're not a selfish person, but God is your Father in heaven, and He wants you to make your requests to Him." Jesus made it clear that we are to make requests of God in prayer. He gave four specific requests for us to make in the Lord's Prayer. We are even to make daily requests. "Give us this day our daily bread." Bread illustrates any need that we have for today.
Dr. Charles L. Allen preached a sermon about God's three responses to our prayer requests. First, God may say yes. Secondly, God could say no. Thirdly, God may say wait. If God says no or wait to our requests, understand that it is always for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). An earthly father may need to say no or wait to his children. A loving father always cares for the welfare of his children. So does our heavenly Father. He cares about our daily needs and all of our needs.
Don't be reluctant to let your requests be known unto God. Write them down in a journal. Don't forget them. Just because you don't get a fast answer is no sign that He has disregarded your requests. We may have to wait. None of us like to wait, but His blessings are worth all of our waiting time. Prayer submits our requests to God, trusting Him to answer in His time and in His way.
God, we present our requests to You in Jesus name.
