“What do you want?” is often an expression of annoyance and a way to let a person know that their presence is not wanted. It’s a little funny that a question that could be offering help is actually a bit insulting with just a change of tone.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11

As God’s children, we can become convinced by outside influences that asking God for things is out of line, that we are being impatient or greedy or childish when we ask God to provide for us and meet our needs. Not so!

Scripture teaches us that God wants to give good gifts to His children and that He wishes to be the one we that ask when we have a need. The word prayer being used for our conversations with Him reflects that; a prayer is a request by definition.

So take this as the opportunity to ask the question to yourself. What do you want? Because God wants to give good things to you.

Ethan Kirl

Originally Published March 4, 2021