“'If you never ask, the answer is always no.'”
So starts an excellent article written by Steve May in his Monday Memo blog from his website, About Sunday. Steve continues:
"The person who made this statement recently was talking to marketers about closing the sale. It got my attention because it also applies to our prayer life.
"James said, 'You do not have because you do not ask God.'” (James 4:2)
"More and more I see asklessness as the root of our problems. James also said that we don’t receive sometimes because we ask with the wrong motives … but I’m convinced that the first part of the equation is a bigger problem for a good many of us.
"The best way to solve this problem is with a pen, a paper, and some time spent in solitude.
"Write down the things in your life that you have been dealing with on your own, that you have (inexplicably) neglected to pray about, and make a decision to bring these matters before the throne once a day until they’re resolved.
"You and I both know from history that it works. Why then we go through seasons of asklessness is a mystery for the ages."
So, let me ask you, children's ministry worker, what do you want to see happen in your children's ministry department in the next year? Parents and grandparents, how do you want to see your children and grandchildren grow in their faith in God over the next year?
Now my next question:
Have you prayed about it?
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8)."
3 comments:
Hi,
My name is Beth (Browning) Jones.
I really enjoyed reading your blogs. My mother Barbara Browning just happened to ask me if I ever heard from my college roommate Karen Moody from UofA in Tucson. So I googled the name and your blog showed up. Your picture looks just like my friend and I am hoping that I may have actually found her.
I have worked in worked in children's ministry for the last 20 plus years as a volunteer. I am currently working for a faith based afterschool program in the inner city of Chicago. I am still married to Chris Jones and have 2 grown children.
Hopefully I have connected with an old friend and not bothered a stranger.
Many Blessings and Merry Christmas
Beth (Browning) Jones
You have NOT reached a stranger! I am so glad to hear from you. I have looked for you for years! It is so good to hear from you! I sent a message to you on Facebook. Hopefully we can catch up more privately. Have a blessed Christmas, Beth!
I try to make a point of focusing on prayer in each of my children's ministry classes. I feel like all too often, leaders feel like prayer is something that should be taught and talked about at home, but I don't think that's the case. The passages from Steve May's blog were very inspirational to me, and I plan on bringing them up in my next youth ministry class.
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