“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’ ” (Mark 10:35)
We’re going to drop in on Jesus for a week or so as He has a couple of conversations in Mark 10. In the first one, two brothers approach Jesus with the biggest prayer request in the history of human kind. Okay, that might be overstating it a little, but it was a giant “ask.”
Notice their approach. It’s a popular strategy with 4-year-olds: “Daddy, will you do something for me?” they ask in their sweetest pre-school voice. If you slip up and say, “Sure, sweetie, what do you need?” Then they hit you with: “I want a pony and some chocolate cake and a chain saw! You promised!”
James and John try to get Jesus to say yes to their request before they actually ask it, thinking they can trick Him into giving them what they want. Do we pray like that sometimes? Do we think we have a contract with God that binds Him to deliver whatever we ask?
A good dad knows better than to give a 4-year-old a chain saw, and God the Father knows better than to be manipulated into giving us the wrong things. Can we trust Him to make that choice?
Think: Have you ever believed that God owed you a gift just because you asked for it? Does He promise to give us whatever we want? Have you ever been glad God didn’t give you something you asked for?
Pray: Thank God that He is wise enough to answer your prayers in the way that is best for you and Him and others – even if the answer is no.
Do: If you think of it, ask the parent of a 4-year-old about some of the wild things kids ask for.