May 31, 2011

A Prayer That Changes Your Life

What’s the biggest need in your life? If God promised to answer any prayer you prayed, what would that prayer be? Your most urgent and fervent prayer reveals what you believe to be your most pressing need.

We see this in the story of a man named Solomon. Take a look at a very important event in his life:

That night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied to God, “You have been so faithful and kind to my father, David, and now you have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, please keep your promise to David my father, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth! Give me wisdom and knowledge to rule them properly, for who is able to govern this great nation of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for personal wealth and honor or the death of your enemies or even a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern My people, I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor such as no other king has ever had before you or will ever have again!” – 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (NLT)

When Solomon was crowned king of Israel, God presented him with an awesome opportunity. The Lord offered him anything he wanted. Instead of praying for something personal and self-promoting, Solomon asked for something significant and substantial. He wanted to be an effective and righteous ruler. He understood that this required a divine, supernatural resource. He knew he needed wisdom. Solomon asked the Lord for one thing — wisdom. He understood his greatest need. God was very pleased with his request. The Lord not only gave him great wisdom, He poured out many other blessings on him too. This one prayer changed his life!

What about you? What is your greatest need?

While we may have many needs, one of our greatest needs is for wisdom. Like Solomon, we need to see as God sees, think as He thinks and live as He designed us to live. We need wisdom. Wisdom is a tremendous asset. It leads to better decisions, stronger relationships, productive work, fruitful service and a more joyous life. We need the wisdom of God!
The good news is, God makes His wisdom available to us:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 (NLT)

What a promise! Just as God offered wisdom to Solomon, He offers wisdom to us. When you ask, He promises to give. Let’s get busy asking. It’s a prayer that will change your life!

Pastor Dale