This morning I was reading a little of John, where Jesus says to the disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name.  Ask, and you wil receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:23-24.

I started thinking, am I like the disciples?  Have I asked for plenty of things that aren’t in the name of Jesus, and not inquired of the things that glorify his name?  Have I asked for material fixes or blessings without really wholeheartedly asking God to be made known?  Have I asked him to show me his way?  Have I asked him lately see more of his glory?

The verse, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name” jumps right off the page and convicts my heart this morning.  How could the disciples walk every day with Jesus and not ask anything of him?  Did they not believe that he would provide?  Did they ask for all the wrong things? Did they get so busy that they didn’t even notice their needs?

Yet, I’m sitting here right before I head off to work, and I realize that I’m in the same boat as the disciples.  Somehow, even though I sit in the presence of God, I completely miss my need to be utterly dependent on him, and I simply don’t ask for his help.  So my prayer is this morning that I would realize the hardening power of my sin, and how it always shows itself whenever I feel I’m in control of my relationship with God.

Lord,  Forgive me for not asking, or for asking for temporary things.  Forgive me for not pursuing you fully.  I get so wrapped up in myself and my life that I don’t see the people and the opportunities you have put in front of me.  I don’t come to you regularly with prayers for people to know you.  I don’t come to you for guidance, truly expecting you to give it.  I pray that you would give me more dependence on you.  I pray that you would teach me how to pray, repent, and intercede. I ask that you would show me who to love and how to love them.  – Amen