• Mary Jane was snuggling down in bed when her mother entered her room. "Did you pray before getting in bed?"
• "Well, kind of," was her reply.
• "Kind of?" asked her Mom. "What does that mean?"
• "Well, I started to pray and my list was the same as it was yesterday and the day before that. So I decided to tell Jesus the story about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And you know what, Mom? I think He enjoyed it!"
• The attitude of the Psalmist was very different from Mary Jane's: "May my cry come before You, Lord; give me understanding according to Your Word." Not only was he intense and sincere, he was passionate and purposeful!
• He did not speak to God in a still, soft voice. On this occasion he literally "cried" to God requesting a "direct audience." He wanted his prayer to go directly to Him!
• Obviously, he must have known that there were certain conditions that he would have to meet. He must have been aware of this. What would hinder his prayers?
• 1. Disobedience: We get what we ask for if we are obedient. John wrote we "receive what we ask for because we keep His commandments." (1 John 3:22)
• 2. Doubt: When we ask for food, we need to have a container available to carry it home. "Whatever you ask for, if you believe you will receive." (Mark 11:24)
• 3. Disagreement: We must ask for things that are consistent with His nature. "Ask in my name." (John 16:32)
• God hears our cries if we meet His criteria!
• Prayer: Help us, Father, to align our requests with Your requirements and live within Your will for our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
• Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
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