But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:5 ESV)
Asking
A particular fundraising organization calls me every month and asks for money. Our family gave a Christmas donation to this group around 4 years ago. Just once. But every time they call, the friendly and cheerful operator begins by thanking me for my years of generous support of their ministry.
I have not given them more money, yet.
Perhaps because the gratitude is not sincere. It is exaggerated, inaccurate, and almost automated. I wonder if this method works well with other donators.
But for me, believing that the organization was honestly grateful might make a difference.
Perhaps that is Paul’s point in our prayers. Be grateful. Make our requests known to God, yes… but do so with gratitude. Ask, yes… but ask with gratitude. Cry out to the Lord with our needs, yes… but cry out with an awareness of all that He has done, is doing, and will do. Particularly regarding the life and works of our sacrificial Savior, Christ the Lord.
The world is used to asking with shopping lists, wish lists, and Christmas lists.
We would turn the world upside down if we asked with Grateful Lists.