Check out this verse.
“You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not
receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you
get on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3
What do you need for the ministry you lead? Budget increase? More volunteers? A new building? More staff members?
If you need any of these things, it starts by making the ask.
The reason you may not have what you need for the ministry, may be because you simply haven't made the ask.
The verses go on to say that you may not have what you need because you have wrong motives. You are asking because of pride or competitiveness or the need to feel important. You want to have the best children's ministry facilities in your city for bragging rights. You want to reach more kids so your self-esteem can be boosted. You may want to feel validated.
Get past the wrong motives and you have unhindered access to a Heavenly Father who loves you and wants to provide your ministry needs and even dreams.
So, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Mathew 7:11
Why haven't you made the ask yet for the dream God has placed in your heart?
What is holding you back from making the ask? Fear of rejection? Lack of trust in God? Believing it's not important enough to make the ask?
My dear friend...I want you to know today that God is ready to answer your prayers and give you what you need so you and your ministry flourish.
Around 25 years ago, I was a young children's pastor in my early 30's (that's young when you are now 55) The ministry I was leading was growing. In-spite of being in an old, dark room that was used for funerals, we were packing the room out with kids.
During this time, God placed a dream in my spirit to build a new children's ministry area. I was very, very nervous about making this ask. Would the Pastor and elder board say "yes?" Would they dismiss my dream? Would they see children's ministry as a valuable ministry that they were ready to invest in?
A meeting was set for a Wednesday night. I remember how nervous I was walking into that room of older, wiser men. I took a big breathe and shared with them the vision God had placed in my heart. I had a folder for each person in the room that explained the vision and what I believed God could do if we pursued this.
After I finished the presentation, the chairman of the elder board stood and said he had to leave early for another appointment he had. Besides the pastor, he was the most influential person in the room. He paused at the door as he was leaving and said, "I believe we should do this."
That "yes" was the beginning of a great ministry adventure as we begin reaching new families for Christ and saw the ministry grow exponentially.
I felt overwhelmed with joy and appreciation. I was so glad that I had made the ask...even when I doubts about it.
I told you that story to tell you this.
Make the ask.
I know it seems like too big of an ask. But make the ask anyways.
I know you are hesitant to make the ask because you are afraid your vision will never come to pass. But make the ask anyways.
I know you are afraid to make the ask. But remember you serve a great, big God and if He is in it, don't let anything stop you from making the ask.
I know you feel stuck in a rut and wonder if you will ever get out. Make the ask. It may propel you forward.
Don't let the reason the ministry didn't move forward be due to a lack of asking.
One final thought. As the verse says - make sure you are asking for the right reason. Make the ask for God's glory. Make the ask for building His kingdom. Make the ask with the end result being people coming to Christ.
Ask.
Ask.
Ask.
You have a great God who will hear and answer you. He's just waiting for you to make the ask.
