As a non-denominational Christian pastor, I am often asked about the nature of prayer and whether it is appropriate to ask God for specific desires and dreams. The short answer is yes, we can and should bring our specific desires and dreams to God in prayer. However, it is essential to understand the deeper theological and spiritual context of such prayers to ensure that our requests align with God's will and purposes for our lives.
Prayer is a profound and intimate communication with God, a practice that is encouraged throughout the Bible. In Philippians 4:6, the Apostle Paul urges believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This verse clearly indicates that we are invited to bring our requests, including our specific desires and dreams, before God. Prayer is not just about asking for things; it is about building a relationship with our Creator, expressing our hearts, and seeking His guidance and wisdom.
Jesus Himself taught about the importance of asking in prayer. In Matthew 7:7-8, He says, "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." Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that our efforts in prayer will be met with a response from God. This passage emphasizes God's willingness to hear our prayers and respond to our needs and desires.
However, it is crucial to approach prayer with the right heart and attitude. James 4:3 warns, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." This verse highlights the importance of examining our motives when we bring our desires and dreams to God. Are we seeking things out of selfish ambition, or are we genuinely seeking God's will and glory in our lives? Our prayers should be rooted in a desire to align our hearts with God's purposes and to seek His kingdom above all else.
The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13, serves as a model for how we should pray. It begins with acknowledging God's holiness and sovereignty: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Before presenting our requests, we are to seek God's will and His kingdom. This sets the foundation for our prayers, reminding us that our desires and dreams should ultimately be in harmony with God's greater plan.
Furthermore, the Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who brought their specific desires and dreams to God in prayer. Hannah, in 1 Samuel 1, prayed earnestly for a child, and God granted her request, giving her a son, Samuel. King Solomon, in 1 Kings 3, asked God for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, and God not only granted him wisdom but also blessed him with wealth and honor. These examples demonstrate that God is attentive to our specific requests and is capable of fulfilling them according to His divine purposes.
It is also important to recognize that God's response to our prayers may not always align with our expectations. Sometimes, God answers our prayers with a "yes," other times with a "no," and often with a "wait." In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, the Apostle Paul describes how he pleaded with God to remove a "thorn in the flesh," but God's response was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul's experience teaches us that God's answers to our prayers are always rooted in His wisdom and love, even if they differ from our desires.
In addition to bringing our specific desires and dreams to God, it is essential to cultivate a posture of trust and surrender. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Trusting God means believing that He knows what is best for us and that His plans are ultimately for our good, even when we do not fully understand them. Surrendering our desires to God allows us to experience His peace and guidance, knowing that He is in control.
Christian literature also provides valuable insights into the nature of prayer and the importance of aligning our desires with God's will. In his classic work "The Purpose Driven Life," Rick Warren emphasizes that prayer is not about convincing God to do our will but rather about aligning ourselves with His will. Warren writes, "Prayer is not a tug-of-war with God, but a cooperative effort to bring about His will on earth." This perspective shifts our focus from merely seeking our desires to seeking God's greater purposes in our lives.
Similarly, in "The Pursuit of God," A.W. Tozer highlights the importance of seeking God's presence and will above all else. Tozer writes, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One." When our primary desire is to know God and to be in His presence, our other desires and dreams fall into their proper place. This does not mean that our specific requests are unimportant, but it reminds us that our ultimate fulfillment and joy come from our relationship with God.
In conclusion, we can and should bring our specific desires and dreams to God in prayer. The Bible encourages us to present our requests to God and assures us that He hears and responds to our prayers. However, it is essential to approach prayer with the right heart and attitude, seeking God's will and glory above our own ambitions. By trusting in God's wisdom and surrendering our desires to Him, we can experience His peace and guidance in our lives. Through prayer, we build a deeper relationship with our Creator, aligning our hearts with His purposes and experiencing the fullness of His love and grace.
