(Philippians 4:6) Let our requests be made known to God.

Throughout the Bible, we are told to “ask God.” 

As Philippians 4:6 means, ask God specifically—not vaguely—for what we need. 

It tells us to make specific requests or petitions to him.  

In this Bible passage, Paul is not talking about our general or vague prayers; he is calling us to pray about “specific things” that are on our hearts. 

Paul is calling us to intentionally pray about issues that are causing us anxiety, or about the specific needs that we have. 

James 4:2 tells us, We do not receive because we do not ask God. 

We often think that “God knows what I need,” so why should I appeal to him about my specific needs?  

All our prayers—general or specific—are based on our relationship with God.

Our relationship with God is what is important. 

Our specific prayers are prayers of trust in God. 

Our specific prayers are prayers of belief that God can do things beyond what we can do. 

James 1:5 tells us, If we lack wisdom, let us ask God. 

We must seek God and move his heart. 

He loves us. 

He will hear us. 

However, when we ask God and tell him our requests, this does not mean that God will immediately answer all our desires or needs. 

Although he can and sometimes does. 

God does not answer our requests how we think he should answer them. 

His ways are not our ways. 

His timing is not our timing. 

We must ask God and never give up. 

We ask God out of our relationship with him. 

We are not trying to manipulate God.

We do not make our requests as a form of religious magic. 

We ask God in the same way that we would ask a friend. 

Our requests might seem impossible to us, but they are not impossible for him. 

Ask God. 

Trust God. 

Wait upon him to answer your requests.