Last week was my daughter’s birthday. On Monday she sent me a text with a recipe attached and asked if I would make pumpkin muffins for her birthday. Later that day while running errands, she gave me a printed copy of the recipe and asked again if I would make the muffins. While shopping, she asked if I bought the pumpkin for the muffins.

Tuesday morning I drove to the store and bought pumpkin and made muffins. I didn’t feel like I had the time and I left some other tasks undone, but I made them and dropped them off at her office on my way to other appointments. Why did I make them?

Because she asked. I don’t usually make muffins for my children on their birthdays and deliver them to their offices. But she asked. And she persisted in asking.

The Sunday before the Big Day – that is, my daughter’s wedding – I developed some kind of bug. I started with the aches, a sore throat, headache. I didn’t feel well. Sunday evening I took Advil and forged ahead.

Monday I still didn’t feel well. I didn’t sleep well the night before, I hurt all over, my joints screamed at me. I decided to ask my siblings and mom to pray for me. I put the request on our group text and was soon rewarded with prayers and well wishes coming my way. It felt good to know I wasn’t carrying this by myself. I really didn’t want to be sick for the wedding.

And I asked the Lord to touch my body. But my thoughts were not coinciding with my prayers. I heard, “why would God heal me? After all, this is just a little achiness. It will resolve without bothering God.” And my faithless thoughts continued all while asking him to heal me.

Tuesday I called my sister. I shared my thoughts. She said, “That is so stupid!” And she was right. She apologized later for using that word.

We talked for a long time about healing. Why are some people healed and others are not? Does God have favorites? Did I not do something right? (If that is so, then healing is dependent on me, not on him.) We did not solve all the mysteries of God and how and when he chooses to heal, but we did agree on this: you have to ask. And keep on asking.

James 4:1-3 talks about why we don’t have what we want. He says quite plainly it is because we don’t ask. Jesus tells a story of persistence in Luke 11:1-13, reminding us that we need to ask and keep on asking. For those who continue, who shamelessly persist, they will receive. God knows how to give good gifts to those who ask.

From the moment my daughter sent me the recipe, I already decided I would make the muffins. But she didn’t know that. And she persisted in asking. She trusted in my love for her, she wasn’t afraid to approach confidently, and she received.

What is it you are needing today? Have you asked? What keeps you from shamelessly persisting in knocking on the doors of heaven?

Until next time…

May the Lord bless you and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious toyou.

May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

Numbers 6:24-26