Really?
Can we really ask for anything we want from God and expect Him always to give it to us? Many believe the answer to this question is “yes.” Certainly, the Bible teaches believers to bring our concerns and requests to God who loves us, blesses us and provides for us more than we would ever hope for or imagine.
There is nothing too hard for God.
Of course, the Bible affirms that there is nothing that God can not do. In fact, there are several places in the Bible where God promises to give us what we ask for. For example, Jesus said in John 13:13-14, “13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it![1] There it is. Right there. Anything. Just ask. It’s yours.
Does that mean we can name it and claim it?
While we have all tried the name it and claim it approach, we quickly discovered it’s not quite so simple. We’ve asked for things like a new expensive car, or a promotion, or healing of a terminal illness for a loved one. We know when we ask for anything like that it doesn’t always happen.
So what are we to conclude? Is it possible that God didn’t have the power to give us what we asked? Or worse, maybe he cares about somebody else, just not me? Or maybe He is simply deceiving us? What gives? What can we do to secure a positive answer to our prayers? Here’s a look at four biblical insights about how you can ask for anything from God with confidence:
How to ask for anything from God with confidence
Insight #1. God Gives us an Open Invitation to Ask for Anything
The Bible portrays God as generous and eager to bless His children. Jesus encourages believers in many places to feel free to ask for anything. For example, Matthew 7:7-8 says: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”[2] This verse is an open invitation to ask for anything. It encourages us to persist in our prayers and trust in God’s willingness and ability to provide and care for us.
Insight #2. Ask for Anything in Faith, believing in our God who Answers.
Verses like Mark 11:24 remind us of the importance of exercising our faith when we pray. Without faith of course, it is impossible to please God. Nevertheless, when we exercise our faith, we find ourselves encouraged to approach God and ask for anything we want with confidence:“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”This kind of faith-driven relationship with God fosters trust and intimacy, deepening believers’ reliance on Him.
Insight #3. God Desires to Bless His Children When They Ask for Anything.
The Bible compares God’s love and care for His children to that of a parent. Like a good parent, He knows how to give His children good gifts. Matthew 7:11 says: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”This verse speaks to us about God’s intention to bless His children beyond what they can think or imagine. He delights in us when we think to ask for anything.
Insight #4. Ask for Anything by Praying Boldly and Persistently
The invitation to ask God for what we need encourages persistent and bold prayer. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus shares the parable of the persistent widow to show the importance of praying and not giving up, highlighting that God responds to the prayers of His people no matter what they ask for. The following prayer summarizes these four insights:
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?[3]
What does it mean? When you pray, ask for anything!
[1] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Jn 14:13–14.
[2] Matthew 7:7, 8 (NLT)
[3] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Lk 18:1–8.
