Are We Asking God for Enough?
When We “Settle” In Prayer
Our son Josiah was a preemie and took all the wrong medical turns during his four-month NICU stay. But at age three, a small silver lining materialized: Because he needed a tracheostomy tube for the foreseeable future, he was awarded a “wish” from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This amazing organization provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences for kids with life-threatening conditions. We were given some questions to help him decide on his wish, and we encouraged him to think about things he loved – his trains (we owned every Thomas the Tank Engine wooden train), other toys, movie characters, and more. We knew he might wish for a bowl of ice cream at our local shop, but that was something we could provide him on our own. We hoped he’d get to experience something greater than he could imagine.
Thankfully, he wished for (and was granted) an amazing trip to ride a train and visit Mickey Mouse. Our entire family (and his nurse) boarded a train in Albuquerque, slept in a sleeper car, ate in the dining car, and arrived in Anaheim the next day. There, a complimentary SUV took us to Disneyland, where he enjoyed a private meeting with Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto (whom Josiah invited to his upcoming birthday party – not sure why Mickey and Minnie didn’t make the cut). We made so many precious memories and the experience was incredible.
For his sake – ok, and for ours – we were grateful he didn’t
settle for the local ice cream parlor.
I wonder how often I settle when praying. Perhaps I avoid asking or give God a pass in case His answer doesn’t align with my will. I’m not talking about a prosperity gospel or selfish prayers for a life of extravagance and ease. This is about truly knowing God is able to do immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) It’s about my belief in His ability to move mountains, break chains, open prison doors, heal hearts, and work the impossible. He commands me to ask as I share my heart’s desires and seek His.
Elisha reprimanded a king for not accessing the full power of God when he failed to use ALL the arrows in his quiver. (2 Kings 13) God challenged Jeremiah to call out, and he would answer and tell him the unknown. (Jeremiah 33) Jonah cried to God from a place of utter darkness and God answered. (Jonah 2) Gideon boldly asked God for resources to carry out his mission. (Judges 6) Jesus challenged his disciples to have faith that could move mountains. (Matthew 21) He said he’d do whatever they asked in his name to glorify the Father. (John 14)
Our faith grows in the asking, not just the answer. Maybe it’s the promised peace that comes from the pleading. (Philippians 4:6-7) Maybe it’s because we more fully experience his presence when we draw near to him. (James 4:8) No matter the result, bold faith propels me to pray. To ask while believing. To lean on God’s Word and promises. To refuse to settle for anything less than all He can do.
Today, I’m praying with joyful expectation that He will move – or move me. Will you join me?
