Asking God in a Proper Manner Brings Power

You may think you’re asking God in prayer simply because you use the word “ask.” I used to believe the same—until I realized I wasn’t truly asking. I was announcing. Saying, “God, I am asking You to heal William,” is a statement, not a question. There’s no humility in a declaration. It’s a proclamation of what I want, not a request for what He wills.

Instead, I should have prayed, “God, would you please heal William? Would you touch him and comfort him? Would you make him whole?” These are questions—humble, heartfelt, and open to God’s response. As I wrote them, I felt my heart soften. Asking invites intimacy. It acknowledges God’s sovereignty and our dependence.

God already knows our needs. He doesn’t require updates or explanations. What He desires is humility—a posture of the heart that seeks Him sincerely. “He is near to the humble,” Scripture reminds us. Asking cultivates that humility. It aligns our hearts with His, drawing us into deeper communion.

Moreover, God delights in being asked. He welcomes the boldness of faith-filled questions. He relishes opportunities to show His love and power. Asking demonstrates trust—it reflects the same faith that flows from His own heart. He tests and proves us, not to shame us, but to transform us. He invites us to challenge Him with His own promises: “Prove me now herewith… if I will not open you the windows of heaven…” (Mal. 3:10). He rises to the occasion, not for our glory, but for the sake of His name.

Asking God questions—when done with reverence—places the outcome in His hands. It’s not manipulation; it’s surrender. He has bound Himself to His word: “Ask, and it shall be given.” “Pray for the sick, and they shall recover.” These are not empty phrases. They are divine assurances. But they begin with a humble spirit that dares to ask: “Father, would you please heal him?”

This kind of prayer doesn’t just seek results—it seeks relationship. It tunes our hearts to His rhythm. It opens us to His will, His timing, and His grace. And it builds faith. As Mark 11:24 declares, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Faith is the key. Not faith in our words, but faith in His goodness. So let us move from announcements to true asking. Let our prayers be shaped by humility, softened by surrender, and strengthened by faith. God is listening—not to our demands, but to our hearts. And when we ask truly, He answers.     Wayne Hancock