Just as humans settle civil or legal injustices in the United States court systems, believers are able to petition God. One of God’s greatest roles is that of Divine Judge. God is interested in knowing the specific details of our cases. Through mercy and divine favor, he uses unfathomable wisdom and mighty angels to work on behalf of our prayers and supplications.
There are many “court matters” we can petition our Father for: favor in the career realm. Temporary difficulties or distresses, even rightly judging the perfect will for our lives.
But what is a petition? How do we make a petition to God?
First, let’s begin with what a petition is: a is a formal request for something asked in a respectful and humble manner.
As Christians, we can enter God’s heavenly courtroom make our requests. How one asks matters--we should ask respectfully and with a humble attitude.
In humble awe we can ask of God, knowing that if it’s in His will, our requests will be answered. Unique circumstances, the right people, and opportune moments allow for honest petitions to be answered. Just remember, what we ask for usually occurs in His time, not ours.
Petition God with Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 tells us, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!”
Think back on your childhood. Remember asking Mom and Dad for toys? Ask you meandered through the toy aisle, you searched until you found the particular object of your desire. Barbie dolls. Books. Stuffed animals. It’s not what you wanted, it’s how you asked. A well-mannered child usually gets what they ask for. Even if they must wait patiently for it. Even as adults, we too must respectfully petition our Father for our needs and desires.
1. Petition God for Divine Favor.
Is there a particular job you desire? Petition the King in detail for the exact job you want. Perhaps it’s a gig which will allow you to be present when your child gets off the school bus. Maybe you’ve gained new skills while at an internship and you’re ready to work honestly with your hands, doing the things which bring you joy. Know there is favor because you’ve FOUND the King. You can ask God for divine favor.
"For he whofinds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:35).
2. Petition God With Respectful Argument.
When we uncover our hearts and bare our souls to God, he is compassionate to hear us. Injustice may come from a person or even from the spiritual realm of evil. We can argue to God to restore justice for our lives. Christ considers what we ask of him. The key to asking of God is petitioning him with argument. Successful lawyers argue specific cases on behalf of their clients. Court matters. They provide judges with argument in order to “win” a particular matter. Our Heavenly Justice listens to our respectful arguments and decides accordingly.
O Lord, hear my plea for justice, listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from an honest heart. Declare me innocent, for you know those who do right (Psalm 17:1-2 NLT).
3. Petition God When Life Brings Hardship.
We’ve all walked painful circumstances. Yet, surprisingly enough, it is distress which causes the deepest and most sincere prayers to fall from our afflicted hearts and tear-stained faces. Hardship can strengthen your walk with God. The raw prayers of Prophet Daniel awakened the heart and ears of God.
"So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.” (Daniel 9:17).
4. Petition God for Hard Hearts.
Humans are hard-of-heart for many reasons: painful upbringings. Abuse. Vanity and pride. You can ask God to extend mercy and grace for the unchurched. You can pray for a “Damascus Experience”. Saul the Pharisee persecuted and killed many Christians during the early history of the church. But God and other believers witnessed a hard-hearted Saul transform into a tender-hearted Paul, the main writer of the New Testament. God saved Paul, who in turn, helped save many other Jews and Gentiles through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your lovingkindness. (Psalm 31:16).
Replace “Your servant” with the name of a loved one or friend whose yet to fully surrender; replace “me” with “him or her”.
God welcomes you to His courtroom.
To petition God is to dialogue with the author and finisher of our faith, (see Hebrews 12:2). Times will come when the spirit of God living inside of you will nudge you into action. Know you may enter the Heavenly Courtroom to earnestly pray for family and friend.
Whether it be an injustice you’ve faced or heavy spiritual opposition from the enemy’s camp, you have the ability and authority to ask a just and loving King for your needs. May you always know you can petition ALL matters in the Holy Courtroom of God for a verdict Christ can work out for your good.
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18).
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Jessica Galán encourages her readers to embrace malleability in the midst of life’s difficult moments. She spends her day teaching amazing students from diverse backgrounds in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She’s wife to a super-creative man and the proud mother of three resilient young women. She’s served as a writing facilitator for Lysa TerKeurst through COMPEL Training. She enjoys daily cups of steaming hot café con leche and breaks out in sporadic salsa dancing when no one’s looking. You’ll find her stories at jessicagalan.net. Connect with her here: Twitter || Instagram ||Facebook
Originally published Thursday, 28 September 2017.
