It’s important to ask.  Indeed, it’s commanded.  By no less than the Lord Jesus Himself.  In the greatest sermon – or oration of any  kind – in human history, the well-known and much-beloved so-called “Sermon on the Mount”.

• “Ask…” (Matthew 7:7)

Ergo, it is indeed essential to regularly ask the Lord for various things, that should certainly be a component in our (unceasing) prayer life (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but two thoughts about this:

First, asking is important but I have adopted a “10% model” in my prayers:  10% asking, 90% thanking (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and praising and worshiping.  While I’m sure that a 25/75 or even 50/50 model would also please God, I’ve personally adopted 10/90 based on Jesus’s fascinating story about the “ten lepers” and simply inverted the equation since Scripture sends a super-strong signal and sense that thanking/praising/worshiping is even more pleasing to Him (indeed, He “inhabits the praises  of” His people) than asking, as great and essential as the latter indeed is but, again, this is just my own personal preference, whatever makeup the Spirit lays on your heart would also be totally acceptable but I thought I’d at least share this.

But second, and my main point here, is that whenever I ask God for anything I include three 3-word phrases which I’m also certain bring much pleasure to our Lord:  “If Your will“, “In Your time“, and “Thanks in advance” (either way, regardless of His answer).

I intend to write many more posts about prayer as this perennial project at BibleMemory.ORG unfolds over the coming months and years but give these (or your own variation on them) a try and see what you think!

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