Asking favours of God

Then the wife of Zebedee came to Jesus with her two sons, bowed before him, and asked him a favour.
‘What do you want?’ Jesus asked her.
She answered, ‘Promise me that these two sons of mine will sit at your right and your left when you are King.’
‘You don’t know what you are asking for,’ Jesus answered the sons. ‘Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?’
‘We can,’ they answered.    (verses 20-22)

Read Matthew 20:17-34

Have there been times in your life where you have prayed to God with all your heart for something that seemed all­ important, only to he thankful, later on that God didn’t give you exactly what you asked for? Have there been times when you prayed for a gift or favour from God. only to realise later on that you didn’t really know what you were actually asking for? Isn’t it wonderful how God has taken your prayers, as shortsighted and inadequate as they may have been, and used them to bring his blessing into your life?

In this reading Jesus does not get angry with the mother or her sons for making their shortsighted and even selfish request. Instead, he confirms them in their discipleship and leads them to put God’s will before their own.

Ask God for all that you want and need. He will take your requests and use them to strengthen you in discipleship, to help you put his will before your own, so that you can experience his blessing in your life.

Lord, give me your wisdom. Let me ask you for everything that I want and need, but help me to put your will first in my life. Amen

by Fraser Pearce, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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