Sports Devotional 3/7/2001

March 7

IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK

From the Game Plan

Read Matthew 6:5-13

Point of Emphasis

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Hiim in truth." Psalm 145:18

IMAGINE HAVING PARENTS WHO MAKE MORE THAN A MILLION BUCKS a year. One pro football player I know took home more than $1.5 million in one season. If you were that mans son, you could ask for anything you wanted, and he could give it to you.

But he wouldnt.

You see, this player is a Christian, and he wants to be wise. If his son says, "Dad, I want a motorized car to ride around in," the player cant say, "I cant afford it." He and his son both know he can. But he does place restrictions and guidelines on the requests his children make. He and his wife have to decide, based on the good of the child and the good of their family, which requests to grant and why.

Its a little like that with God and our requests. As the Master of the universe, He has everything at His disposal. Like a millionaire football player, He cant say, "I cant afford it." Yet He does put certain restrictions on our askingfor our own good. Look at some of them:
1. You may have to be persistent (Luke 11:5-13).
2. You have to ask in faith, without doubting (James 1:6).
3. You have to ask for the right reasons (James 4:2-3).
4. You have to be living righteously (James 5:16).
5. You have to be willing to accept any answer
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
6. You are to pray with thankfulness (Philippians 4:6).

Prayer is not like ordering from a catalog. Prayer is talking to God one-to-oneconversing with Him as you would a loving and caring father.

Sometimes you tell Dad how much you appreciate him. Sometimes you tell him your troubles. Sometimes you ask for advice. And sometimes you ask him for second semester tuition or some money for a down payment. But each time you ask, you use ground rules that your relationship with him requires.

Thats why its important to read what Jesus said about prayer in Matthew 6 and to read the other prayer guidelines noted above. That why well know how to pray the right way.

When you pray in the way God has designed, it doesnt hurt to ask.-- Dave Branon

Upon Further Review

In the past week, what specific things have I talked to God about? Were my prayers mostly taken up with requests, praise, thanksgiving, or others' needs? Are my prayers unbalanced?

How can I use the guidelines in this article in my activities during the next week?


Action Point

Resource: Jesus'Blueprint for Prayer

Originally published March 06, 2001.