Are you like me – thinking about something you want out of life? I don't mean stuff. I mean dreams, goals, motivations. What would happen if you prayed for what you want?
Psalm 37:4 in the Amplified Bible says:
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
God puts desires in our hearts when we put our faith, trust, and joy in Him—when we make Him our delight.
Here's a personal example that made me think about this subject. I was listening to the radio earlier today. There was a commercial about alternative energy or green power. As I listened, I thought, "I really want to learn about that." For some reason, I am fascinated by alternative energy. I have been for years. I don't know anything about alternative energy. Why am I so interested in that, I wondered.
God gives us our desires. He puts in us interests and dreams and goals. Have you ever wondered why some people are so interested in technology while others enjoy creating art with their hands? Why do some people always want to be in the background serving people while others want to be out front leading? Why are there doctors who study the human body when other doctors want to help animals? Some people can see the big picture but other people are detail-oriented. Did you ever think about how God made us different? I like thinking about matters such as this and learning what makes people tick. But somewhere in the world, there are people who'd rather study the economy.
Look at an instance where God gave Bezalel ability.
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Exodus 31:3-5 NIV
God put a gift in Bezalel. He put a gift in you. He put a gift in me. It's what makes us desire to do something with our minds and hands.
So as I was thinking about my fascination with green energy, it occurred to me that I had never prayed about it.
So the question is . . . what would happen if you prayed for what you want? What would happen if you wrote your desires that you have for your life (because some times we forget) and then prayed about it?
In my case, God can show me if this desire about studying energy is from Him and/or what I'm supposed to do with this desire.
CHALLENGE: write down what's in your heart for your life. Maybe you think often about traveling or learning a foreign language. It could be that you've considered going back to school – it's not too late today. How about that family reunion that's been on your heart? Write them all down. Pray about them. Seek God about them. He gave us a promise.
Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). Jeremiah 33:3 AMP
Almighty God promises that if we call to Him (pray), He will answer. When He answers He will answer—our questions. He'll show us what we've not known before. Now this is a good time to say, "I dare you to pray."
I dare you to make a list about your life and pray about it. Ask God why you have desires for certain things. And I double dog dare you to read Psalm 139 about how God was there when you were formed in your mother's womb. And then go back and pray about your life some more. See what happens.
Pray with me (if you dare):
Wonderful, holy, awesome God You were there when I was created. You know what I think, You know how I feel, You know what I desire. You have put inherent desires in me that I cannot escape. I have wondered why there are certain things that I've always wanted to do with my life. Could it be that You were orchestrating my desires? Could it be that You have already planned for me to carryout certain tasks with my life? Thank You for the gifts You put in me before I was born. Help me to recognize and praise You for those gifts. Forgive me for overlooking and discounting my gifts. When You show me what they are, I will no longer neglect them. In the same way that You put skills in Bezalel so that he could build and create the Tabernacle and the items in it for Your glory and to please You, You have put skills and even the desire to learn skills in me. You've given me certain interests whether it is cooking, entertaining, writing, healing, nurturing, financing, engineering, dancing, designing, choreographing, selling, buying, advocating, swimming, climbing, digging, flying, drawing, building, wiring, planning, organizing, supervising, listening . . . whatever it is, I want to please You with it. It is important that I know why You've given me these gifts, abilities, and desires. I will take time to list what's on my heart. Then I will call to You until You answer and show me as You promised. Thank You for the answer. When You give me the answer, I will follow through by praying about my next steps. Thank You for my life. Thank You for helping me find my purpose. Thank You that my purpose is in You and in the name of my Lord, Jesus. So be it!
