Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7, NLT).
I’ve heard this statement about prayer, “I think God is interested in every aspect of our lives.” Amen!
But I’ve also heard this about praying, “I pray about finding parking places.”
I have a Filipino friend who always prays for a parking space. My wife, Barbara, told me one of her favorite podcasters lives in Israel, and he always prays for a parking space.
I’ve been to the Philippines 25 times. I can testify that there are no parking spaces in Cebu, Philippines, so God providing a parking space there would be equivalent to parting the Red Sea for the Israelites. I’ve also been to Israel six times, and finding a parking space in downtown Tel Aviv is like Jesus walking on water.
Those who live in urban areas probably all pray for parking spaces!
I believe in praying for parking spaces. How about you?
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8).
I don’t really pray for a parking space since I arrive at my office between 5 and 6:30 a.m., and I’m usually the only one parking in the lot at that time. But I do pray for specific requests.
A specific request is asking for an item, and you know it’s answered because you received the request. Asking God to bless your day is nice, but it’s not specific – how will you know if God answers your prayer?
Jesus teaches the specific-request method of praying when He says . . .
You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! (Matthew 7:9-10)
A daughter who asks for a loaf will know when it’s provided, and a son who asks for a fish will know when it’s received.
What are our specific requests?
I don’t want to be mundane with the importance of prayer or demean the power of God by saying that we should all pray for parking spaces. I do believe that God is an intimate Father who wants to bless us!
Yes, let’s pray for miracles and the salvation of friends. But when we see God provide our daily bread (specifically a parking space in front of our favorite restaurant) . . .
Wow! God does care.
So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:11).
- I’ve been praying for over 20 years for God to completely pay off the building of the church where I pastored – answered!
- I prayed recently for provision for an upcoming mission trip – answered!
- I prayed for someone to disciple – answered!
I serve a God who provides food for 5,000, manna from heaven, taxes from the mouth of a fish, water to wine, and yes, the Bible teaches in Romans 8:31-34 that He is listening to our prayers and interceding for us.
With Jesus listening, we shouldn’t be shy about praying for parking spaces or whatever would be a parking-space-specific request for us today.