Among my three-year-old grandson Ryder’s most frequent words are these: “I want some of that.”
I plop a toasted and buttered breakfast bagel on my plate. He says, “I want some of that.
I carve up a promising seedless watermelon. He says, “I want some of that.”
I unwrap a Hostess chocolate cupcake. Suddenly he appears beside me. “I want some of that.”
I tote in a plate of sizzling hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill. He says, “I want some of that.”
Yes, I know I’m giving the impression that I am constantly eating. But that’s not my point. My point is that he never hesitates to ask, not even for a second. If he even suspects that I have something tasty in my hands (which, because I am constantly eating, happens a lot), he asks. He asks quickly. He asks boldly. He asks without reservation, without any fear that he will be denied.
And you know what? He’s right. I remind him to say, “please,” of course—because who wants a hooligan for a grandson?—but I never deny him. I don’t make him earn it. I don’t make him beg. I don’t quickly gobble it down and tell him it’s “all gone.” When he says, “I want some of that,” I grant his request.
Ryder’s approach is endorsed by Jesus. He said:
“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. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 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! 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 7:7-11, NLT)
Notice that Jesus chose two of the most common, everyday requests a child might make of a father or mother in those days. Mom pulls some warm flatbread from the oven: “I want some of that.” Dad strips a morsel from the roasting fish on the spit: “I want some of that.” What parent would deny a hungry child? Who in their right mind would substitute a stone or a snake in such an event?
It is key, of course, to remember that the Father knows best, and He may have good reasons not to grant some of your requests. On the other hand, He may be waiting for you to ask, politely and submissively (James 4:2).
But the point Jesus makes is: “How much more.” How much more loving and kind than human parents is your heavenly Father? How much more certain is He to answer your requests? So pray “how much more” prayers. Remind Him as you ask of His “how much more” nature. Ask without reservation, remembering that your heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His children.
Adapted from The Red Letter Prayer Life by Bob Hostetler (Barbour Books 2015).
