Readers and Listener’s,

I count it a blessing and a privilege to remember you and pray for you. We all need encouragement and strength for today and the rest of our lives. Jesus is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he has all things under his feet: every situation, every circumstance, sickness, disease, and any problem mentioned and not.

If we have a need, all we need to do is simply go to God in prayer and ASK for what we need. It is because God is a not only a good God but a good Father that we are able to ask him for what we need. Whenever Jesus was in the middle of his sermon on the mount he talked about this subject of asking God for whatever we have need. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 7:7-8, “ASK, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it will be opened to you. For, everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Jesus gave us the model of how we should ask. He was telling us that we should be persistent when we ask for a need. It is like the women who had a blood disease for 12 years (Luke 8.43-48). A crowd had gathered around Jesus and was pushing in on him. Imagine a large crowd trying to leave at the end of a sporting event or concert where there is barely enough room to walk. This was the type of environment that the woman was going through. She had to be persistent in order to gain her healing from this blood disorder. Jesus told this woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

The woman went away from her encounter with Jesus well because of her faith. It was her faithful persistence that made her well. I could imagine how much faith it would really take for this woman to be healed. She was bound with this disease for 12 years! That is a long time to deal with an issue. By her twelfth year with this disorder and having spent all her living on physicians and treatments to heal her, I’m sure that her faith for a healing would have been rather spent itself.  She was desperate for a healing and she needed to get to Jesus. It was in this persistence that she was healed because of her faith.

James says it like this, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ASK God, who gives generously to all without reproach [that is without finding fault], and it will be given him. But let him ASK IN FAITH, with NO DOUBTING, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-6. James says,” If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,” but this statement can be broadened. If any of you lack(s):

1. Salvation
2. Wisdom
3. Strength
4. Healing
5. Patience
6. Endurance
7. Self-Control
8. Finances
9. A Career
10. Courage
11. A Friend
12. Deliverance from something
13. Guidance in some life situation
14. Even Faith

If we ask God IN FAITH then he is faithful to give whatever we ask generously. Sometimes when God gives us something it may not come in the same package that we suspect. If we ask God for a job, whether it is where we are now or whether it is that we need one, he may not give us a job in that of itself, but he may give us a job interview, or an acquaintance that can put in a good word for us in order that we can get an interview. When we ask God for something he will start swinging doors open for you. He opens them but you still need to walk through them. It is then that your faith is put into practice when you recognize God’s handiwork and pursue his response. If we ask God for better finances he may not drop money in our lap but he might allow for our company to offer a raise, a new job, or some extra work on the side that will provide for our need. God is not a stingy giver; however, we will need to exercise our faith to receive it.

I am a believer in the power of prayer and the power of Christ to heal and to forgive sins. If you have need of anything feel free to leave a comment below and I will pray for you. It is not God’s will that you be in pain or sick. It is God’s will for your life that you be well. In Acts chapter 10 Peter began to proclaim this saying about Jesus: Acts 10:38 says, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” What Jesus did for one he will do for all if they would only COME to him and ASK.

Peace, Love, and Christ ‘cause you know HE died for you.

(FURTHER READING: Colossians 1:9-14 and Ephesians 1:15-23)

If you have a prayer request comment below.