When I was a kid, my parents taught me to make out a Christmas “wish list.” Of course, there was no internet, so I would flip through the pages of the “Sears Wish Book.” When I saw something I really wanted, I would write it down with the page number!

Now why would they do that? Why would they tell me to make a list of things I wanted? And why would I do that with my own children? Each year around this time, I will come to them and ask, “What would you like for Christmas? Make out your list.”

I do it for the same reason my parents did it. I absolutely delight in giving to my children. On a scale of 1 to 10, “getting” is around a 2 or 3, but “giving” is an 11. I love it! I love giving to them. I love building anticipation for them. I love creating mystery. And I love surprising them.

Could it all be taken too far and become overly materialistic? Sure it could, but what’s interesting is that my kids never really ask for anything unreasonable. And they’re always very grateful for whatever they receive. That’s not my point though.

If I love to give, how much more do you think God delights in giving?

Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

God commands us to be devoted to prayer. To be diligent about it. To not quit. And in our praying, to also be thankful.

So let’s break this down for a moment.

What is prayer?

I’m sure we could come up with many definitions, but at its simplest, isn’t prayer talking with God and asking for things?

I know prayer can also include confession and praise, but you can’t get away from the fact that God says very simply:

Talk with Me and ask Me for things. Don’t give up and remember to thank Me.

Let’s not over-complicate it.

God actually commands you to ask Him for things. Now when I say “things”, it could mean you’re asking for wisdom, peace, courage, a spouse, money to pay a bill, an opportunity to share your faith with a friend, a new job, the power to obey or something else.

Often, God doesn’t choose to answer right away. The timing of our request may not be right. Or maybe we’re praying for the wrong thing and He needs to change our thinking. Or could it also be that He enjoys it when we talk with Him and if He answers quickly, we’ll stop praying?

Don’t assume that just because God hasn’t answered yet that He’s not going to. If God did not want to give to us, then He wouldn’t tell us to ask Him for things. Think about that for a moment. I think it’s easy to have a distorted view of prayer and think God really isn’t all that excited about giving to us. And yet…

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32)

No, we won’t receive everything we ask for. It would be arrogant to think we always know what is best for ourselves, for others and for God’s kingdom. But we can know with confidence that God will never withhold whatever is for our good and for His glory.

So what are you waiting for?

God delights in giving to you. Could He have something to give you, but is waiting until you ask?

Why not find out?