He likes to be asked....

I have been reading The Chronicles of Narnia books recently, for the first time. I know, I know...I'm a bit behind the times. About halfway through The Magician's Nephew, we read that Digory and Polly are traveling with Fledge, a winged horse, to get an apple for Aslan which will be used to plant a tree that will protect Narnia. After a day of traveling, being tired and hungry, they have this dialog which blew my mind:

"Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals," said Digory. 

"I'm sure Aslan would have, if you'd asked him," said Fledge.

"Wouldn't he know without being asked?" said Polly.

"I've no doubt he would," said the Horse (still with his mouth full). "But I've a sort of idea he likes to be asked."

This part was so convicting to me. You see, I had just been thinking about a friend who is flying through her support raising. And I mean flying. It seems like every time she sends out a newsletter, her support is up! Don't get me wrong, I am super excited about her success in team building. But I was frustrated. "Doesn't God know that I need support too?" "Isn't He aware that I can't go to Papua New Guinea until I have a partnership team?!" "When will He bless me the same way He is blessing her?"

John 14:13-14 says, "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

James 4:2 says, "You do not have because you do not ask."

Now, I must stress that I am not a "name it and claim it" believer. I don't think that just because we demand something (or even ask politely) that God is obligated to give it to us. But there are promises here that God will provide the things we need and in some way, the things we ask for. 

So maybe I need more partners to go to Papua New Guinea. God knows that. But am I asking Him? Am I beseeching Him daily to work and to move as only He can? Am I bending my desires and will to how He will work in His wisdom and His timing? Am I waiting to see how He is going to accomplish this huge task? No. I was just complaining that I wasn't seeing results of my work. Shame on me. 

A few more verses, this time from James 5:

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name o the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

I see so clearly here a simple command: pray. Look at where your life is at and then pray accordingly. And He will answer! My new prayer has become, "God, I don't know how you are going to raise up my team, but I believe You will. Please help me to remember Your faithfulness as I serve You."