“If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14. In the past I misused this verse, MANY times. I just assumed that God being all loving and all powerful was my ticket to a genie in a bottle- asking and receiving whatever I wanted. I’d pray for a boyfriend, seeking worldly comfort. I’d pray for money, putting my worth in materialistic things. I became frustrated when I asked for things I didn’t receive them immediately, or I didn’t receive them at all. The problem was, I was asking for things that didn’t align with the Lords will for my life. (Even if they sounded innocent.) Because Jesus sees the full picture, He knows what’s best for us. One day, I realized I was missing a piece to this verse- “ask me anything in my name” Jesus says……. Meaning if we are asking selfishly, for something that doesn’t align with the Lords will for us, or even His character- How do we expect an all knowing, loving father to gift us something that would harm us?

I had been jobless for a couple of months, praying for the Lord to provide a way for me to be a stay at home wife. I was not looking to get a job. Fully depending on my husband to provide all of my living expenses plus money for my hobbies. After a couple of months I felt the Lord nudging me to get a job, just a simple part time but I refused. Finally I gave in and said, “Lord, if it’s your will for me to get job- drop it in my lap, I’m not searching for it.” The next morning, I ran into a lady who recognized me from a previous barista job, she immediately asked me if I was employed. When I respond with the answer, I didn’t have a job and I didn’t want one- she offered me one anyways. One to two days a week of one of my favorite hobbies, gardening. I immediately knew the Lord had answered my prayers and dropped that directly into my path. Not only did I not have to search, but it was a schedule I was comfortable with AND one of my favorite things to do. Gardening/being in nature is how I feel closest to the Lord- of course this is what He chose for me.

There was a shift in my life after that experience, I started praying for the Lord to make His will clear. I stopped asking for all MY wants and instead started praying for HIS wants to prevail in my life. Praying HIS will and receiving HIS goodness. See, here’s the thing, we think we know what to ask for, but sometimes we are asking with selfishness in our hearts. When you start asking for the Lords will, He answers. Sometimes even overnight! Is there any prayer that you continue to pray with selfishness in your heart? You could be praying for someone’s salvation so that YOU benefit from it. Be cautious, selfishness is sneaky. Submit your plans to the Lord, pray His will over your life and watch things shift. Not to mention the anxiety fleeting because it’s no longer in your hands. “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him” 1 John 5:14