Are we allowed to ask God for things? What can we ask for?
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
James 1:5
Looks like we’re promised wisdom if we ask for it. He’s giving it out liberally. You may even ask him specific questions about life, relationships, a verse from the scriptures, etc. (Alma 34: 24-25). When He says He won’t ‘upbraid,’ it means he won’t scold you for asking.
“Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Matthew 7:7-10
Hmm. So if we want something to eat he won’t get all indignant on us and take us out to the tool shed for asking for it.
Some people are afraid to pray. I call it the Monkey’s Paw effect. In the short story by W. W. Jacobs, the monkey’s paw granted its owner £200 to pay for his house, but it cost him his son’s life. The moral is loud and clear: be careful what you wish for. But, when it comes to our Father, we know He doesn’t play games like that. He will not give us a stone when we ask for a loaf of bread. If we ask for something we shouldn’t (like any good father), He will help us understand why, rather than scold us.
Related Articles and Links: