I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you …
Summary: In this passage, Paul opens the door to a fascinating question: If you could ask the Creator of All Things for anything you wanted, what would you ask?
If you could ask God for anything, what would it be? This is God the Father we are talking about. The same God who created all that exists and can still create anything he chooses.
What would you ask Him for?
Paul has a few specific things in mind that he will request from God on behalf of the Ephesians. But what about you? What do you want?
What do you want?
The earliest record of Jesus asking this question occurs in John’s Gospel account. Two of John the Baptist’s disciples followed Jesus after John pointed him out. One was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (John 1:40), and the other was presumably the author of the Gospel account, John. When they run after Jesus, Jesus sees them following him and asks, “What do you want?” Confronted by the “Lamb of God” (John 1:35), the two can only think to ask, “where are you staying?” (John 1:38). This is perhaps the simplest request Jesus ever had to fill. “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:39).
Later, Jesus would ask the same question of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked (Mark 10:36). Their response was as far from John and Andrew’s as the sun is from the moon. “They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’” (Mark 10:37)
Wow! They didn’t ask for much!
The other three examples I found* all had to do with people who were blind asking to see.
Nobody on record in the Gospel accounts asks Jesus for wealth. No one asks him for worldly power. There are no requests for a bigger house, nicer clothes, more friends, or a pet. People came to Jesus for the important stuff. News about God and healing from God.
Paul is going to ask God for important stuff, too. It won’t sound very important to the worldly mind, but to the spiritually minded, it will seem like a king’s ransom.
Application: Think about what you want from God. Then ask him!
Food for Thought: What does God want us to ask him for?
*Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10: 46-52, Luke 18: 35-43
What does God want us to ask him for?
Love, forgiveness, anything about Him to build a relationship with Him, the Lord’s prayer comes to mind.
Tim,
The Lord’s Prayer is a fantastic example!
That God’s name is hallowed, that his kingdom comes and his will is done. Then we ask for our daily bread, forgiveness (as we forgive!), and to be led away from testing and evil.
I think the simplest answer to that question is : everything. I don’t mean ask Him for the world and everything in it, but ask God what His will is in your situation or decision.
You have to humble yourself.
You have to keep in contact with the Lord in your heart and mind; depend on Him.
You have to get used to waiting. God answers when it is His Will, but when He answers, it is always at the right moment and in the right measure.
You learn what is really important and what is not.
As you go along, you begin to understand just how active God is in your life, and your faith in Him grows.
As you go along, you begin to understand just how tremendous His power is in transforming you and those around you.
John 14:13–14 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you
Chris,
I like the distinction between asking for things of God and asking for the “world and everything in it.” Well said!
I like Chris’s answer and I’m reminded of a prayer of mine, that my prayers are aligned with His will.
John 14:13–14 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you
I like your prayers, Tim!
My favorite is your constant prayer for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Good comments.
I think Jesus wants His will to be done and I think He wants us to want His will to be done. The first three requests in the Lord’s Prayer are requests that God wants us to pray.
That His name is seen as holy in us and through us.
For His Kingdom come.
For His will be done.
Clearly in this prayer He also wants us to forgive others. He also desires for us to seek Him as our provider and to let Him lead us.
James 4: 1 – 3 and 1 John 5: 14 – 15 are also instructive to this discussion.
There are many times in scripture that He reveals His will in various areas of our lives – certainly those are things for which we should be praying (eg Romans 12: 1 – 2; 2 Corinthians 10: 5; Ephesians 5: 15 – 18; 1 Thessalonians 5; 16 – 18; James 1: 5).
Thanks Rich!
Excellent reference passages! (Link provided)
03-06-2023, What does God want us to ask him for?
Do we support God in all he does? Jesus Knew what we should ask for. “ Your will be done “
Matthew 26:42
In the garden, Jesus went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Matthew 6:10
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Ron,
It’s funny to think of us “supporting” the God of the Universe, but you are right. If we are not supporting God, we are opposing him. It is eternally important that we recognize the difference.
So going further with us praying for Gods will to be done then it comes back to us accepting and following the Bible and how the Holy Spirit is leading us Without grumbling and doing everything as if your doing it for our Lord.
You got it Mr T, We live in peace knowing we are on board with anything God choses to do. Hang on and enjoy each day to the fullest, as it comes, knowing tomorrow it will be whatever God desires.
We do make plans for the future, but stay flexible knowing God may have something better in mind.
Semper Fi
Semper Gumby? Always flexible?
😊