21 Days To Clarity, Day One: Ask

Click here for The Introduction

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." I John 5:14-15

One of the best pieces of advice I received as a new Christian was this:

When you open up your Bible to read it, ask God to make its meaning clear to you.

I chose to take this advice a step further. I not only asked God to clarify the meaning of the Word, but I also asked Him to help me to fall completely in love with it—fall in love with HIM.

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

As a teenage girl armed with a big ‘ole King James Version—a version with an over abundance of “thee’s, thou’s, hath’s and verily’s”—that advice literally changed my life. From day one, every single time I cracked open my Bible, I first breathed a prayer asking God for clarity and passion. And God answered my prayer.

“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 16:23b

Over the years, I’ve continued that prayer with greater intensity and greater faith. And in the last ten years, the prayer has taken such deep root in my heart that it has become the very focus of my ministry. No, I don’t always understand everything I read in the Bible. And no, I don’t always know exactly what He is saying to me at every moment of every day. But it gets clearer and clearer all the time. And it all began as a simple desire that I expressed to God in the form of a simple prayer.

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14

So today, as we begin our 21-day search for clarity together, I can think of no better advice to give:

Ask God for it.

“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." Isaiah 7:11

Ask Him to help you understand His word. Ask Him to help you discern His voice over the other voices in your head. Ask Him to help you recognize when He is using someone else to speak into your life.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

No fancy formula here. Just be sincere. And be yourself.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19

I’m praying for you like never before that the next 21 days rock your world. See you tomorrow for more clarity.

Click here for Day Two