“You do not choose me but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit, and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.”  John 15:16

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

These two verses show us how the prayer cycle starts. 

First, God CHOOSES us to carry out some aspect of the work of the kingdom. That work will be beyond our ability to do on our own, but it will not be beyond Christ’s ability to do through us.

“I am the vine, you are the branches, if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5. 

Therefore, as we go about doing the work God has commanded us to do, we will discover that we lack something to accomplish that work – either resources, connections, or some other vital and integral piece.

The passage from Philippians 4 (“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”) tells us that Christ fully intends to provide what we need to do this work, but we have to ask. 

 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified through the Son.” John 14:13.

 
God puts us in an impossible situation, to do an impossible job that is well beyond our abilities. That need drives us to go to Him in prayer; to call out to Him – desperately seeking what we need to accomplish the work He has assigned us to do.

We cry out in desperation because of the impossibility of what faces us. The mountains in front of us seem absolutely impossible for us to get over. NOTE: this is by design (read John 15:5, again).

We think the goal is to get the job done, but God’s goal is to build the relationship with us. So we ask, and we seek to know His plan so we can ask according to His will, His purposes, His ways, and His character. Then we KNOE He will provide (see John 14:13, again).

Presenting our requests before God is important. He designed it to be important. It is not unimportant, because it is an integral part of our accomplishing the work He assigned us to do – and in accomplishing that work, it brings glory to Him.

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4

The prayer cycle starts with God making us aware of the need, either because of the impossibilities we face or because of the  great needs of others. Then we pray, first searching the Scriptures and searching our prayer journal to determine God’s will in the matter, then claim His promises, such as Philippians 4:19, and pray for the need. In response, He meets that need. 

We then bring glory and honor to His name for that provision.  The praise and honor to Him completes the prayer cycle.

So, early in the morning:

Each step is important, including ASKING for what we need to accomplish his work. But ask wisely, in accordance with His will, His purposes, His ways, and His character.

Serving with you,  Rev   Bill Moeny