Devotion: Do You Know How to Ask Well?

“Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.” (James 1:6 MSG)

I often tell new mamas struggling through the baby and toddler phases that parenting gets easier, at least physically. Now my kids can make their own breakfast and lunch and help with chores. They can dress themselves and even help with laundry. Most days we have discussions instead of tantrums, and my husband and I find we’re spending most of our parenting energy helping our children learn kindness and respect, navigate conflict, and use their words well.

I also have to tell new mamas parenting is more emotionally taxing as children age. Determining when it’s appropriate for our kids to question us is an area that has presented us with challenges. Children who question can be frustrating to a parent. I find sometimes mine are talking back, but other times, I’ve realized, they’re using questions to make sense of their world.

I recently had an epiphany during my prayer time: the qualities of bold outspokenness in my children are the qualities I want them to have as adults. I want them to become adults who think critically, analyze the world around them through the lens of the gospel, and speak up for injustice. My job is not to stop questions, but to teach them to question well.

Today my children are questioning me, but one day they’ll question God. We all go through seasons when we plead with God for a miracle or ask him why he didn’t intervene to prevent hardship. When I put my frustration aside to receive my children’s questions, I’m teaching them questions are legal in dealing with authority, even the ultimate power.

Abraham gives us a great example of how to approach God with our questions. In Genesis 18, he’s speaking with God when God reveals his plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as punishment for their sin. Scripture tells us Abraham asks God, “‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?’” (Genesis 18:23 ESV).

I can imagine Abraham’s hands shaking with fear as he asked God this question.

It may seem at first that Abraham is talking back to God. As the passage continues, however, Abraham shows us the keys to asking well.

Question with Boldness

Abraham presses God further by asking him eight times to spare the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah, each time asking God to save the cities if even fewer numbers of the righteous are found. He boldly reminds God, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25 ESV). Abraham spoke with boldness to the God of the universe.

Question with Humility

While Abraham questions boldly, Scripture reminds us that he knew his position in the discussion. He tells God, “I am but dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27 NASB). He pleads with God not to be angry because of the questions. Abraham shows us the key to asking well is to ask both boldly and with humility.

Not only is it acceptable for us to be bold when speaking with God, but the Scriptures below remind us our boldness comes from living a righteous life connected to God. Abraham could boldly confront God because he knew God chose him. We can access that same confidence through Christ. To know we are asking well, we need only go to God with humble spirits to match our boldness.

Lord, help us to approach your throne boldly, confident in our righteousness through your Son. Give us humble hearts and pure intentions. Help us to set this example for our children so that they, too, can learn to approach you with boldness and learn to ask well. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 ESV)

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:11–12 NASB)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 NASB)

Reach for More

Can you think of a time you wrestled with God over a difficult question? How did you overcome fear to speak with boldness and humility? Please share with us using the hashtag #tgtreachformore.

Lindsay Hufford is a writer, slow marathoner, home educator and mediocre knitter. Her favorite things include books, kombucha, kitchen dancing, natural wellness, Jesus, and nachos. She spends days with her handsome hubby, three adorable kids, a flock of hens, a runaway peahen, wandering barn cat, and rescue dog. Lindsay shares ways to live simply and love extravagantly at www.lindsayhufford.com.