Sunday, April 3, 2011

Matthew 7:7-11

" Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one 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? "

I've been thinking about the word ask.  In all aspects of our lives we can gain so much by simply asking.  For me, I'm pretty good about asking things for others.  The same applies to my prayers.  I ask for things for my children, I ask for my family, for my calling, for others who I know need something.  Unfortunately, I often think that I should not ask for things for myself.  Instead those are the things that I think I should just be able to do myself.  Often when I say my prayers I will tell myself that I shouldn't ask for Heavenly Father's help because I haven't done my part yet.  Maybe I haven't been reading my scriptures, or maybe I've been angry with my kids.  Whatever it is I feel like if I just fix those things, then I'll be worthy to ask my Heavenly Father for things.

Then something happens that reminds me that I need to ask Him for help.  If I ask, He will help me with even the very smallest things.  He will make them easier. There have been times in my life that I have asked for help loving someone more, and my Heavenly Father has given it to me.  I have spent a great deal of time trying to come up with answers, only to ask and have the answer given to me. 

I love this scripture.  It reminds me that I am a child of my Heavenly Father.  Just as I want the best for my own kids, He wants even more for us. "How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"  Try it.  Think of something small and simple.  One of those things that you think that maybe Heavenly Father doesn't really care about.  Then, get down on your knees and ask him for it.  You may be surprised at the power it brings.
- Sister Norris

1 comment:

Emily Norman said...

Sister Norris, you just said what I feel so often! I have the hardest time asking for help with my own personal problems, because I either feel unworthy or prideful- that I can fix it on my own. I think I'll take your challenge. Thank you!!