Getting what you ask for

Jesus said to the crowds, "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

For this reason Jesus prayed in the garden Father your will be not mine. For this reason we pray that what God want will be done not our own.

Sometimes what we ask for is not what we want or need at all. Sometimes what we ask for costs us more than we would wish to pay. We may ask for the health and/or the continued life of a loved one. But God may understand in his infinite wisdom the spiritual perils ahead in that person's life. His will may not be fulfilled by their healing here on earth, indeed his ultimate will is that we each would die so that we can return to full communion with him. Would we really want continuted presence here on earth at the cost of even one day in eternity with God. We are careful what we ask for, yet we still may ask for other that the best, so we pray "Heal this person if it is your will, God."

We may be seeking that which is not best for us. We may seek more things, more comfort, more financial or military security. But if we gain more wealth, great ease and security on earth at the cost of a life in God's presence and the security that comes from living in his kingdom, what is the gain for us. So we pray for God's will. "God help me to find your presence."

We knock on the door it is opened. We pass through and so a zillion other doors are left unopened. But by God's will whatever door we pass through leads to him.

Seek first the kingdom of God and whatever else you need will be added as well. The inverse is not expressed but perhaps just as true. Seek all these things you need and the kingdom of God will slip through your hands. Actually Jesus does express that - just in a different setting. paraphrased: what profit it a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul. So we pray for God's will to be done not our own. We pray that God's kingdom would come on earth, not our own.

Be careful what you ask for, you will receive it. Consider what you are searching, you will find it. Think twice about the door you are knocking on, it will be opened. Prayer is a dangerous thing, so we pray, "Your will be done, not mine."