What to ask God?

     We are at that stage where we can the throne of God and ask.  Not just for anything though.  God has already told us that he will take care of all of our needs.  He's also told us  that the answers to our prayers are on their way from heaven even before we ask.  As if that's not enough, He knows all of our needs from the beginning of time.  Yet, we can come to God and ask.  Remember adoration takes us into the presence of God, confession eliminates the barrier to approaching God, and thanksgiving focuses on all that God has done for us.  All that's left is to understand what to ask and how to ask.  Here is the kicker.  We need to let God tell us what to pray for.  Even if someone has asked us to pray for specifics there is still the direction of our prayer issue.  Since we have Jesus living through us there is a simple answer.  Let Jesus talk with the Father through us.  Let the words of our lips be His words and not ours.  Most Christians have garbage prayer lives.  They may or may not pray in public, over meals, with their children or wives.  What would happen if we were continually in a state of real prayer where the Holy Spirit spoke to us and told us what to pray for 24/7?  Paul talks of being "instant in season and out to give an account of the hope that is within us."  Paul was always in the presence of God.  Why was that?  Because it was "no longer I who lived but Christ who lives within me."  The formula of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication have been present since the fall.  Real men and women of God are continually in the presence of God because Jesus lives within them and through them.
     So, what to ask God.  Don't come with a list.  Don't present over and over in vain repetition.  Don't have any sense of self in your prayers.  Don't expect answers that your mind conjures from who knows where.  Don't  share your prayers to others.  They are between you and God.  Why all of this?  Because you want to be his vessel, doing what he wants you to do, saying what he wants you to say and your life being not yours but His.  Come empty into that place and wait on God to tell you through the Holy Spirit what needs to be prayed for.  State the desires put upon your heart with confidence that he will know there is no shadow of turning in any area of your life.  Be sensitive to his voice as he speaks with you.  Ask God to show you his will for your life and know he wouldn't show you what to think, say and do unless he knew you could.  Here is the important point.  As you pray the heart of God, he takes care of those needs you have had.  He knows your needs and will take care of them as you go about His business.  It's going to take time at first but as you work through adoration, confession and thanksgiving and supplication; you will find you want to near to God all the time and the strappings of the world will dim more and more.  Priorities in your life will become God centered regardless of the cost.  Your going to need this transformation and strength for what is to come.  You are here for a purpose and that purpose will be preparing you for the end of time.
     What would happen if you went into your private prayer time and just prayed for the salvation of all you know who don't know Jesus?  What if you were to listen to the heart of God and know what to pray for in that person's life?  Would you believe God and pray unceasingly for the salvation of your child, spouse, other relative, friend or whomever?  Do you believe that God will answer your prayers?  I'm sure by now that you have figured it out that living for God means Jesus living through you for his glory and will.  That means none of self.  God may lead you to pray for someone you don't know is such a specific way that you wonder if you're sane!  If you will only believe you will see much more than anyone around you sees.  The unfolding of the hand of God will bolster your faith and you will be prepared for whatever comes.  The difficult days are already coming and many have no faith or belief to carry them through the trials and troubles. Jesus living through his disciples will bring them to that place of optimum service to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  Your life may be demanded from you should you have no shadow of turning when they ask you to renounce your first love: Jesus.  Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.