Asking but Not Receiving

In Mark 10:35-40 we see James and John requesting to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his kingdom. We all would criticize James and John for this foolish and selfish request. Yet, we often make foolish, selfish and unthinking requests from the Father.

How did Jesus respond? You don't know what you are asking. I can not grant your request. When ever we pray in faith believing God hears our prayer and answers us. Sometime we don't think God heard us or answered us because we don't receive what we have asked for, but he actually answered our prayer. Yet, his answer was not a favorable answer. Like a child, we often don't like the answer and persevere in hopes that we will get what we asked.

God knows what is best for us. Sometimes our parents don't know what is best for us, but God always knows what is best so we need to hear His answer and accept His answer. Sometimes our hearing is not to good because we are so set on getting our answer. Like a child we often cry and whine. Yet, we have a loving Father who is very patient with us. What we are asking may seem good and right in our eyes, but we are unable to see the full picture. We lack understanding. This why we need to ask God to give us understanding and ask Him to help us to pray according to His will. This doesn't mean that at times we must persevere in prayer until we receive the promise. We know these prayers will succeed because we have been promised the answer before we even pray. We need to learn to pray according to God's will. This comes through knowing the Word of God and being led by His Spirit.

God's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Colossains 1:9 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,"