Phone a Friend: Five Times God Instructs us to ASK for Help

I find it hard to ask for help.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy being the one to help others.

Yet, there are five times in the Bible I want to share here when God encourages us to ask for help. And groveling is discouraged!!

The first is in Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

What a great verse.

I have stood on this promise countless times when I needed a door to open for me. A new job, a new adventure, favor in the workplace, and I have also stood on this promise for others in need.

There were also many times I lacked the wisdom needed in trying situations. James 1:5 became a rock to stand on. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God and he who gives graciously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

… without finding fault

There it is: that promise that we need not grovel.

Recently I got myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. And I needed to ask my sisters in Christ to pray for me. The signs that I needed to make a change had been there, but I waited until the last minute to do something about my situation. I kept thinking something had to give. Well, it ended up being my pride. Ouch.

Their kind prayers reduced me to tears. And Holy Spirit brought the verse above to mind and highlighted the words: without finding fault. He didn’t chastise me for getting myself into my situation. He let me know He heard my cry and moved to help me.

 

More Tears. What a God, What a God!

Psalm 121:1-2  “I lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.”

When our help comes from the maker of heaven and earth, I think we can have confidence in His ability to help us.

Though we live in trying times and our dollar does not stretch as far as it used to, be encouraged. Make your request to God and believe it is His joy to meet your every need.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

In every situation. Don’t be anxious.

I prayed the above verse while steering the Mission Ship, LaGracia, while we rode out a hurricane off the Carolina coast on our way to Haiti, in Haiti, while pulling a tooth with a chicken dancing on my head. When I did not have a place to call home, I prayed and presented my request to God, thankful for the friends that lent me their spare room or an air mattress.

I even enjoyed a three-month “vacation” in Tennessee at the home of a writer friend. All because I asked for help. And my cry was heard.

Psalm 34:17 tells us: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

I can testify—He did deliver me. Every time. On His time schedule.

He provided rest for my weary soul according to his promise: “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Beloved, do you want to fulfill God’s law? “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law.” Galatians 6:2

Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters. Carrying another’s burden to the Lord in prayer doesn’t cost us a thing.

And when you need help, humble yourself and ask God and others for help.

God is waiting to answer.