A couple of weeks ago I was asked to pray for a man by a friend of his. He agreed to the prayer and I asked him what he wanted from God. “Nothing” he said, “I don’t want to bother him. If my wife and son and I are healthy, that’s all I ask for.”

So, I began to pray. Hmmm…what to pray for someone who really was asking for nothing. Then I was reminded of the scripture passage; “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2b) I prayed for the Lord to give this man ability to “ask.” I happen to know through his friend that he suffered as a child from a step-father who did not love or accept him. Because of that, he expects little from his heavenly Father.

As I prayed I said; “Lord, you know how Tom (not his real name) loves his little son. You know how he delights when Tommy asks him for things. Daddy, can I have an ice cream cone? Daddy, please read that story one more time. You delight the same way, Lord, when Tom comes to you like a child. You are eagerly watching for every request, delighted to respond.”

How is your own “asker”? Do you hesitate to “bother” God? Over the years I have seen many who somehow think they have a prayer quota and want to save their requests for emergencies. Or they see their own needs as inconsequential compared to the needs of others.

Go ahead and begin — ask. You have Father God’s full attention for every request, small and large. Are you like Tom who needs courage and grace to come boldly to God? Then make that the first thing you ask.