Just What We Need

One of the things I struggle with in my prayer life is knowing what I should ask of God. If I ask for too much, am I being selfish and focusing too heavily on my own needs? If I don't ask for things that God is waiting to provide for me, am I failing to trust in his provision or relying too much on my own strength? Somehow, I sense that I'm not the only one on this island needing rescue.

Fortunately, Proverbs 30:7-9 provides some much-needed direction: Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Several things jump off the page here. This prayer doesn't strike me as selfish or indulgent; although there is a strong desire to see this request fulfilled. There is also a strong desire for truth; to the point of wanting falsehood repelled as much as possible. Then we see the best answer for whether we are asking for too much or too little--ask God to supply the measure and determine what is best required to meet our needs. There is very clear recognition here of the dangers of both plenty and want. So easily, we can forget the source of our blessings as we enjoy His provision. We can also seek to better our own situations in sinful ways that dishonor God.

James 1:5 promises us that if we lack wisdom and seek His truth, God will generously supply them to us. Jesus instructed his disciples in Matthew 6:11 to ask for daily provision and nothing more or less. James 4:3 reminds us that if we ask for things purely to serve our own interests, we will not receive blessing. Asking only for just what we need sets the stage for the blessings that only He can provide.