What if we stepped out and prayed for specific answers?

Do you tend to dance around an issue reminding God that he’s free to answer his way in his time; whenever and however?

This might sound spiritual but is it?

Many of us describe to the Lord all the problems and trouble that a particular prayer request brings, but never actually step out and ask God to specifically intervene.  Our prayers are instead filled with the word “if”. “If it’s your will.”  “If this is the time.” “If this is the right direction.” “If, if, if”.

Now before you think I’m being heretical, please understand me. I do believe that God is sovereign. I fully acknowledge that his ways are high above mine and he is free to do whatever he will. I know he is in control and that knowledge is the basis of all my prayers.

He is God! Period!

But that does not stop me from stepping out and asking him for specific requests.

As a matter of fact, it’s that deep awareness of who God is that brings the freedom to ask for these answers.

I don’t always know what God has in mind for a situation. I don’t have all the answers. I never will. But he does. And I trust him. And in that trust I ask.

It may seem spiritual to acknowledge God’s sovereignty in a situation but there’s a fine line between acknowledging God’s sovereignty and doubting his ability or desire to intervene. It can instead, be a fancy way of describing lack of faith.

Yes, Jesus prayed, “If you will, remove this cup from me” in his prayer in the garden the night before he was crucified. But in dozens of other prayers he just stepped out and asked. He spoke people to be healed. He told the dead to rise. He commanded demons to come out of people.

Consider the prophet Elijah. In I Kings 18:37, he called down fire from heaven to burn the sacrifice and defeat the prophets of Baal. “Answer me, LORD! Answer me so that this people may know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning back their hearts again.”

How many times did he use the word if? I don’t see one. He stepped out in faith and asked.

And God answered.

The same is true for Moses, Noah, Abraham and many other people of faith recorded in scripture. Their foundation of prayer was the assurance of who God is and they asked, specifically.

And God answered.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that faith is “believing God exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.”

You may believe God exists but do you also believe he rewards you when you seek him?

Why not step out today and ask God to answer?

What if you prayed specifically?