Third Step in True Pattern of Prayer - Ask God

"Father in Heaven, I thank thee for the many blessings Thou has given me. I ask Thee..."

Father in Heaven knows beforehand the things we need in order to help each specific person; but because of the nature of human life in this mortal world, He only allows certain things to be granted as "givens" or laws in life.

He provides a place for our physical presence with air and food enough to sustain all human life on the planet if ALL humans follow the commands that He gives as recorded in scriptures and holy texts of all religions.

Unless a principle--such as helping the poor and needy--is purposely removed from a religious dogma by the impropriety of humanity, it can be found in all religions to help another and share all that exists.

Because the hearts of men or the ways of humans are collectively fickle, all people do not share in the bounty of the planet.

False teachings conclude only a finite amount exists of all resources--prompting some deceived people to horde those resources. THEN! prompts the Lord to move in the souls of the willing for the welfare of His children who have less. Again, if we all lived the commandments, God's provided naturally on the Earth enough!

So, His Children ask for extra resources than those that should rightfully be available to all. We then give as our hearts direct us to help our fellow beings.

Medicine should be free to all who need it, for example, but because some cannot have it due to multifarious reasons from those who possess it, God acts in miraculous ways to heal the bodies of faithful people.

God does not force righteousness upon His children but invites them to share. God grants the righteous what they ask because, in truth, the righteous will not ask for things they know God will not give them.

God will provide restoration of life, health, monetary gain, success in skill--many things that are for the benefit of humankind.

However, not all things are equal in importance for the eternal salvation of humans, so one blessing or granting God provides to one may differ from another granting or blessing He provides another.

There exist many answers that could fill volumes with explanations and examples to understand; though, one reason He requires us to ask for some things is to teach us that He can. and will. provide for all people.

God provides the things we need and some wants that help to strengthen faith and aid in Christian service. The things that are important to His children are important to Him.

Any righteous parent takes their children's feelings into regard, and Father in Heaven is the example!

It matters to Him if one of us is hurt or lonely. When He issues out judgment in the end for all the deeds of mankind, He will, through Christ, make an account of each fallen tear and angry word of all people who did not make redress.

As with any short-viewed toddler when it comes to fairness, we tend to think that we want action from God now and not in some distant future when we will probably not care about it anymore!

The wisdom of God is great in that. After the uncontrolled feelings of hurt are gone, we can then look at the guilty party with compassion and mercy as would He. We are commanded to be temperate.

Harboring ill feelings towards one who has offended us makes us view them obscurely.

When the feelings of woundedness vanish, only the love of light remains in the righteous. We then see as God sees. He knows our needs better than we understand and will give us all that we need to become like Him.

Christ paid the wages of sin, death. We must seek forgiveness of sins through asking. God will not forgive sins of the unrepentant. He cannot remove consequences from a person who will not admit an act is wrong.

All people, all of us must ask for His intervention. Asking is an act of humility and recognition that God is the Giver of all and Provider for all. Asking reminds all that we are beggars before the Lord with the capacity to bless each other with our differing talents.

Heavenly Father's perfectly willing to answer all questions of His children, with the understanding that once the answer\'s given the receiver will act appropriately, to take the knowledge and apply it in life.

As revealed through the ancient prophet Moroni,

I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father [for all things. In asking, do so] with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Moroni 10:4)

The Lord desires to share truths, whether they be the truths of the universe or if it is the truth that He really exists and answers prayers. All truths are there for the asking if the hearer does so with real intent.

Real intent means with the understanding that once the knowledge is revealed, the person is responsible for applying that knowledge or living according to that knowledge.

God reveals truths meant for groups or everyone, and truths meant for individuals. If asked, truths dealing with eternal consequences such as the mode and manner of baptism, God reveals specifics only changed by the interpolation of men. If God reveals to an individual to keep a journal, it applies to that individual alone.

If not for the journals of men, some men, no scripture would exist. Asking and obeying with intent constitutes answers to prayers. The invitation to ask is inherently connected with God's willingness to provide answers. He requires in asking to address Him and be grateful for what already He has given.

1. So the first step is to Address God in prayer.
2. The second step is to Thank God for what he has already given.
3. The third step is to Ask God for the things that we need and want.
4. The fourth step is to Close in the Name of Jesus Christ.