New Year's Requests

“You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures,” James 4:2, 3.It has been said, “The path of each New Year is strewn with broken resolutions.” Don’t look back now, but I think one of those resolution messes might be right behind you!I know a little about this topic. I’ve left a few messy resolution trails that even a blind, nose-less search dog could follow. Thankfully, I’ve also learned some invaluable lessons. One is this; the best way to see a resolution become reality is to turn it into a prayerful request.When I look back on resolution messes, most of them were good intentions that I tried to fulfill by my own efforts. Some of them were scripturally based. However, my Heavenly Father never intended me to accomplish them by my own power. He knew one of two messes would result. If I was somewhat successful, the mess came in the form of pride. But when I failed, the broken resolutions left the messy feelings of guilt.Thankfully, God has provided a great solution. The problem isn’t necessarily the resolutions; it’s the spirit and the process. When you’re swept into a Spirit prayer, resolution messes are transformed into resolution miracles. The grace-filled presence of God surges through those who ask. Fulfilling Godly, sincere requests, made in child-like faith, is His specialty.By the way, my prayer is that you will make many requests of our Heavenly Father. If you do, it will be a miracle-filled-year.