Don’t Forget to Ask

The Bible study I was leading didn’t go well. People were distracted, and their comments were scattered. I couldn’t seem to bring their attention back to the study. As I drove home after the meeting, I felt discouraged. Why had things gone wrong? Then I heard the Spirit’s quiet voice: “Did you ask me to help you?” I realized that I had not. In my frustration I hadn’t thought to ask for God’s help in refocusing our attention. I hadn’t even asked God to guide me as I prepared the study.

Sometimes we don’t receive from God because we don’t ask. As I thought about how I could talk to God about my needs more consistently, I remembered Philippians 4:6 — “Bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions” (CEB). I needed to ask God for wisdom in planning and making decisions, both in my morning quiet times and throughout the day.

We can cling to God’s assurance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Ps. 32:8). When we talk to God about our everyday needs, God will guide us.