THE CONTEXT FROM WHERE WE ASK
When the average Joe or Jane asks God for something, they are asking from an average place. Let me expand. Let’s say Jane has everything she needs (basic living needs: a roof over her head, a bed, lights, electricity, water, clothes, food, etc.), and she even has a few things she wants: two pairs of good running shoes, an occasional pedicure, and her favorite candy in the cupboard… when she asks God for something and believes Him for immeasurably more than that she isn’t asking for as much as she could….
I’ll repeat: Based on the context from where she asks (having all of what she needs and having a few things of what she wants), she really isn’t asking for all that much in the eyes of Heaven. In her defense, she is asking for all she knows to ask for. But, asking from a context of more than where she resides is beyond her understanding because it’s beyond her personal experience.
When Marrobway Katang, a Christian prisoner in a camp in China, waiting to be beheaded for her beliefs and love of God asks God for immeasurably more than she asks or believes, based on the context from where she asks, she is asking for A LOT! Wouldn’t you agree?
Now, this is not to minimize Jane’s prayers. But this story is shared to infuse a “more” in you. I believe that the only way we can change the context from where we ask God for immeasurably more is to change the context from where we ask.
It comes from a deep need that is so much bigger than our abilities or our resources. It comes from a helpless place that only God can help us. Truly, you don’t have to experience it personally, but it does have to be personal. You have to be personally invested somehow by being tied to the context of lives in need.
If you are a Jane and you have all of what you need and some of what you want, find a Marrobway Katang. She doesn’t have to be in China. Her name may be Sue Johnson and she may live next door. She may be a single mom who can’t afford braces for her 13-year-old son. Pay for his braces. I promise you that your prayer life will change because your personal investment in those around you will change. You will begin to ask God for immeasurably more than you used to ask and believe Him for. Your life will never be the same. Ordinary will become extraordinary!
While I know that there are mission fields in China and in Africa and many other places around the globe, if you never go to another country, go across the street. Look within your own family, you will see people who are asking and believing for more than they ask or believe. From the context from where they are asking, they are asking for A LOT. Won’t you join them?
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her recently founded Share & Company Publishing House http://seymourkristina.wix.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Originally published Tuesday, 30 January 2024.
SHARE
