March 21, 2023 — Wanting What You Need

As Ricky poured our first cup of coffee, he said, “Do you guys know what you want for breakfast, or do you need some more time?”

Stan spoke up, “I’ll have the usual. Two blueberry pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs. Scrambled soft. No salt.”

“You got it,” Ricky replied. “How about you?” He said to me.

“I’ll have the same, but make it three pancakes and no eggs.”

“That’s not quite the same,” Ricky said with a smile, but I’ll tell Cook that’s what you guys want!”

After Ricky hurried off, Stan said, “Did you notice the theological discussion going on there?”

“What?” I replied. “What are you talking about?”

“Simple point,” Stan responded. “We were talking about what we wanted for breakfast. When I pray, too often it’s the same thing.”

“What same thing?”

“I tell God what I want,” Stan said, “when what I really should be doing is praying for what I need.”

“Oh,” I replied, “wants versus needs. Do you really think that makes a difference in how you pray?”

“I do,” Stan said. “I don’t think God is sitting up in heaven just waiting for me to ask Him for what I want. He already knows that. I believe He’s waiting for me to ask Him for what I need.”

“To pray for what you need?” I replied. “How are you going to know that?”

“Ask Him,” Stan said with a smile. “I am to ask God to open me to see what I need in my life. When I pray that way, asking God for what I need, that is what He shows me!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16.

Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8.

For the Lord hears the needy. Psalm 69:33.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving your only begotten Son as the way to all I need to have life eternally in your presence, beginning here and continuing on into eternity. Thank you, too, for providing all I need to live this life as you intend. I confess that too often I ask you for things I want that are not necessarily the same as what I need. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me to follow every step of your lead so I only ask you for what I need, and do not ask you for what I want when what I want is different from what you know I need. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of all you need to spend eternity in His presence? If no, why? Why do you choose to remain separated from Him? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with your prayers? Are they more about what you want, rather than what God knows you need? If you sense a desire for change in how you pray, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?