Ever heard the saying, "A closed mouth doesn't get fed"?
Meaning if you say nothing, you will in turn get nothing.
I remember in the early 1990's, my mom repeatedly quoting a portion of scripture from James 4:2-3:
You have not because you ask not.
She used that piece of scripture to teach us the value of asking God for what I needed. As an adult, I think I've done a decent job of bringing my requests to God. It's pretty easy for me to stop, pray and ask God for what I need. But lately, God has impressed on my heart to share my needs with others and ask them for help.
**Insert feign surprise and horror**
Oh, the dreaded horror (and embarrassment) of asking others for help!
Can you see the pride dripping from these words?
Ugh.
I know. I know. Pride is so ugly and it camouflages itself in various ways, nevertheless, I believe God is using this season in my life to strip and uncover layers of pride that exist in my life as evident in my resistance to asking others for help.
My husband and I lead a non-profit (Jacob's Ladder Ministries) which serves those impacted by incarceration. Since the beginning of our marriage, it has been primarily the two of us, leading teams into the prisons to preach God's word, and facilitating support groups and workshops with those who have been previously incarcerated.
For six years we have primarily funded the non-profit organization out of our personal account, never drawing a salary or hiring staff, however, we know that God is leading us to expand our programs and services and that means moving our non-profit administrative offices from our home to its own building, and hiring staff and recruiting volunteers. We know there are others who are called to go into the prisons with us and share the good news, there are others who have a heart for assisting families impacted by incarceration and who want to mentor and support the children with a parent in prison.
Recently, God led us to a building where we will be able to rent for the ministry and also provide sewing lessons for the community and those returning from prison. While in prayer, I brought my concerns to God about the building's floor. I had received an estimate of $9,500.00 and in order to get the building up and running, the floor would need to be replaced.
As I brought my need to God, I felt in turn that God was calling me to ASK others to donate money so the floor could be repaired.
God, was compelling me to open my mouth and make the request known to the community so the solution could be rendered. In other words, God was telling me that I needed to make a God Ask. An ask for others that had derived from Him.
Are there God Asks in you that needs to be vocalized?
Perhaps you know God has called you to start a business but in order to start you need direction and guidance. You know "Sister So and So" that has a similar business and in order to receive the counsel and guidance, you need to open your mouth and make a God Ask for her to mentor and help you.
Or maybe you are having trouble in your marriage or relationships with others, and you know another 'Sister So and So' that previously shared a testimony about how she overcame in a relationship and to no longer suffer or feel defeated, you need to open your mouth and make a God Ask, and ask her to help you, give you wisdom and pray for you.
God Asks is all about being led by God and having the courage to make our requests known. I believe there are specific breakthroughs in our life that God has but first, it requires us breaking out of our pride, shame, and embarrassment and sharing our needs.
We are not called to live life alone. We are part of the Kingdom of God and the body of Christ.
Remember the story of the invalid in John 5 who lay by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years?
Jesus asked him do you want to be well?
Has anyone ever asked you a question that seemed so obvious? During my time of praying for my ministry and for God to send in the finances, I felt God ask me, "Do you really want (the ministry) to be well?"
I paused and said, "Yes, God I do" and that is when I felt God impress on my heart the need, in this season, to share the vision for the ministry with others and invite them to be part of the work of ministry.
That this is one of the ways God would bring not only the financial support, but the staff, volunteers, and prayer warriors that would anchor and strengthen the ministry to burst forward with power and defeat the devil.
It would be imperative for me to OPEN my mouth and invite people to be part of the ministry by making God Asks.
Your God Ask may look different from mine.
Your God Ask may not be a financial ask, it may be an ask for an emotional need, friendship, or assistance in another way, but I just want to encourage you that when led by God, don't be afraid to open your mouth and make your requests known. As my support raising coach, Ben Smith says, my responsibility is to do my part which is to make the ask, and I trust that God will do His part.
I believe that God wants to tremendously bless your life in this season. Will you remove pride, fear, and fear of rejection to open up your mouth and ask for what you need?
This article was published in Jewel Warrior, a Christian women's online devotional. Please subscribe to receive encouraging devotionals each day from women from around the world.
Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either working out at Orange Theory Fitness or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry for women who have been previously incarcerated and at-risk teens. I am the proud wife to Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for more daily Christian teachings and encouragement.