Week 1: Aligning the Asking

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. —1 Chronicles 4:9–10

God desires to give good gifts to His children

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Prayer that God answers is ALIGNED with Jesus Christ’s REVEALED MISSION to advance His Kingdom and seek and save the lost —Matthew 7:7–11

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. —John 15:15–16

How can I pray biblically-aligned requests before God this coming week?
1. MONDAY: Read Matthew 6:9-13 in context and pray for your part in advancing Christ’s Kingdom on earth
2. TUESDAY: Read Matthew 26:41 in context and pray that you would not fall into temptation
3. WEDNESDAY: Read Proverbs 30:7-9 and pray for freedom from greed and growth in contentment
4. THURSDAY: Read Philippians 4:6-7 in context and pray for peace and freedom from anxiety
5. FRIDAY: Read Luke 10:1-2 in context and then pray for laborers for Christ’s mission
6. SATURDAY: Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4 in context and pray for political leaders to be saved (especially the ones you hate)

This world needs you as a powerful advocate before the throne of Christ. It’s time to answer Christ’s call.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. —John 14:12–15