By: Elizabeth Haarberg

How Do We Know What to Ask For?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I have heard Christians say when they pray they are hesitant to ask for what they want because what if it’s not what God wants. What’s the remedy for putting our desires before God?

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 English Standard Version

When we press into God and worship in Him, our mind becomes transformed.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 English Standard Version

Spending time with God and letting our minds intertwine with His is how we begin to give our heart to God. When we hand our heart over to Him, our desires and God’s desires will be in harmony. So, when we pray and ask God to fulfill what’s in our heart, it’s actually what He wants also.

Because we are human, there are still times we want what we want and we want it now. The good news is God can handle our humanness.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 English Standard Version

Even as I’m writing this, there is a mystery in the way this transformation works that I don’t truly understand. I just know it works. It’s not important for me to understand how God works at all times but to trust Him and His process.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version

Taking the first step toward Him is the most important. He will guide us into a deeper relationship with Him as we continue to let Him in.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Spring, Colorado