Praying Is a Humbling Gesture

If you are hesitant to pray because you feel that praying is merely asking, here’s a story by a certain Choy in the book “Living Water 2009”:

“Why am I hesitant to admit that to me prayer is mostly about asking? It sounds self-centered and even shameful

that I ask, and ask, and ask. But why am I ashamed? After all, Jesus teaches me to ask. Most of the “Our Father” is a petition. And Jesus says that is how we ought to pray.

“I guess the reason is that asking is a humbling thing. When we ask, we are sometimes confronted by our pride. But we can’t let that get in the way because we cannot make it on our own. We must humble ourselves and ask. We must daily come before the Lord in earnestness, humility, dependence… and ask. After all, there is always something that we need to ask Him – so many questions and petitions.

“‘Our heavenly Father knows everything that we need before we ask Him.’ (Matthew 6:8). But still, we must; because when we ask, we depend on His power. When we ask, we bow to His Lordship. When we ask, we return to our place, and are reminded of who we are and who our God is.”

I am reminded of an acquaintance who said that praying is always asking. She said, “Why should we pray when God knows what we need?”

One time I could not help asking in my mind whether God doesn’t get tired of hearing my petitions for help. The https//biblereasons.com website has this to say: “…There is nothing wrong with seeking help, in fact the Scripture encourages it. Christians must ask God for help daily because we won’t get far in life trying to live off of our own strength. When God puts you in a situation, He wants you to ask help. It’s never meant for us to do God’s will by ourselves. God is the one who guides us in the right path. Believing that we can do everything leads to failure. Trust in the Lord. Sometimes God helps us through other people. We must never be afraid to get wise counsel and help for big decisions from others.”

The website further explains, “Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak, but it means you are strong and wise. Being proud is a sin and that is why many people fail to ask help even when they desperately need it. Continually ask the Lord for help and strength daily realizing it’s impossible to live the Christian life without Him.”

What does the Bible say about asking God for help? • Isaiah 30:18-19 – “So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.”

*Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.”

*John 14:13-14 – “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”