The Giving God

I’ve heard it said a thousand times, “We need to pray more.” (I’ve probably said it myself a thousand times). While I would agree, we do need to pray more, I’m increasingly convinced that the reason we don’t pray more isn’t because we are sinful, rebellious, or even lazy.

The reason we don’t pray more is because we misunderstand God

Even for people who understand faith, asking God for something often gives rise to different kinds of doubt. One may say, “I am so insignificant”; another, “I am so sinful”; another, “I am so hard-hearted”; and another, “I am so undeserving.” 

What’s scary is that every one of these doubts are true. And if God’s response to our prayer was based on whether or not we deserve or qualify for it, we might as well forget it.  Which really explains our prayerlessness. 

But it’s not about us…it’s about God!

Jesus’ half brother James gives us a dramatic insight to our prayers and how God responds to them. He tells us…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (1:5)

Then James makes an even stronger statement about God… 

Every good thing, and every gift is from God, who gives relentlessly, without
reproaching us, both to the good and evil, the grateful and the ungrateful. There is no variation in the Father of lights who gives without reproach. Whatever things you have you have received; and you’ve received them from one ultimate source, the Father of lights. (1:7, expanded)

In other words God is not just a God who happens to give. He is defined by his giving as the God who gives. 

What an encouraging title, “The Giving God" 

He is the God who is accustomed to give, who is known amongst men and ages as "The Giver”! And that there may be the utmost encouragement he gives to all.  He gives limitlessly.  He never tires of giving.

Through this insight to God’s character, we discover that God actually longs to have great things asked of Him.

Go to little men for little things. Go to a great man to do a great thing.  But God, Creator of all things, may be asked for the largest gifts, since no giving can possibly render Him unable. 

God is so delighted to have us ask, that he would have us be more ashamed of not coming to him with our needs than for any other fault or sin.

I think we need to pray more.