9.48 Prayer is not begging but receiving

When we talk about prayer, a number of people associate it with asking, pleading and begging God for His blessings. They think that the harder they pray, the more likely they will receive.

Today we want to share a significant change that happened after the cross. One day, a Pastor was praying to God for blessings upon his church. But the Lord told him that they have already been blessed with every blessing – there is no need to ask for blessings. He was shocked. Paul tells us that we have been blessed with every blessing in Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 1:3)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HAS BLESSED US with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ...

The verse does not refer to blessings in the spiritual realm alone. If we read the Amplified version, it tells us that we have been blessed with every blessing given by the Holy Spirit. It is all God’s blessings.

You see, Jesus meant everything to the Father. When God gave Jesus, He gave everything. Every blessing came with Jesus. Every blessing was purchased on the cross. We must see ourselves wrapped up in Christ – our new identity and our source of blessings.

In fact two of Paul’s greatest prayers were for us to understand what we already have. Paul did not ask for any blessings. He simply asked that we receive revelation – that we may know...the hope of our calling, the inheritance of the saints, and the power which is at work within us.

(Eph 1:16-18)
…do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and REVELATION in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; THAT YOU MAY KNOW…

In another passage, Paul prayed that we may comprehend – to know…the love of Christ.

(Eph 3:17-19)
…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to COMPREHEND with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— TO KNOW the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Today, our quest is to receive the revelation of what we already have. When we have that revelation, it will change the way we pray. Prayer is no longer asking but receiving.