“CAN I ASK  YOU A FAVOR?”

by Tammy Phillips
September 1, 2021

Raise your hand.  Who has a problem asking a friend or family member for a favor?  This used to be me.  Like a baby, I would pridefully think that I could do it all by myself.  I did not want to be a “bother.” I did not want to ask anyone for anything.  I did not want to put them out of their way.  The truth is I did not want to be rejected in shape, form, or fashion.   

Is this why we do not pray to God about everything? Do we have infantile pride?  God created it all.  Who better to ask about anything and everything?

Prayer is simply going to God and asking him a favor.  Prayer is an appeal with zeal.  Prayer is confessing to God that we cannot do it all by ourselves and that we need His help.  I love one of Webster’s 1828 Dictionary definition of prayer: “In worship, to address the Supreme Being with solemnity and reverence, with adoration, confession of sins, thanksgiving for blessings received and supplication for mercy.”

The New Testament of the Bible direct us to pray in the following way:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room,
and when you have shut your door,
PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO [IS] IN THE SECRET [PLACE];
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
(Matthew 6:6 NKJV)

“But I say to you, love your enemies,
 bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you, and
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU.”
 (Matthew 5:44 NKJV)

“Watch and
 PRAY, LEST YOU ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.
The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.”
 (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 NKJV)

“When you PRAY, SAY:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.” 
(Luke 11:2-4 NKJV)

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to
PRAY AND NOT LOSE HEART,” (Luke 18:1 NKJV)

“Watch therefore, and
PRAY ALWAYS THAT YOU MAY BE COUNTED WORTHY
to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21:36 NKJV)

“PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.” (Luke 22:40 NKJV)

“PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV)

“PRAY EVERYWHERE, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” (1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV)

“PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16 NKJV)

At this point in this post I have used 458 words, Jesus only used 50 words when He showed us how to pray in Luke 11:2-4.  We don’t have to pray many words.  In fact, Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.” (Matthew 6:7 NLT)

I enCOURAGE you to ask the LORD for a favor.  Pray all the time, everywhere, and for everyone.  It’s what He tells us to do.  He is God.  He knows best and He has THE answer you are searching for.  He is full of grace and eager to grant your favor.  Pray.