Stop asking for what you already have

This morning, as I was praying and studying the Scriptures, I came across a verse in Acts where Paul speaks about the grace that has been lavished on us, He stated:

“And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” - Acts 20:32 NASB

In that moment, Holy Spirit began to speak to me, as He often does through His Word. He reminded me that His grace has been poured out upon us as a result of the price that was paid on the cross, through the shedding of Jesus’ blood.

Yet, for some reason, many of His people continue to pray amiss. We keep asking Him for what He has already given, grace.

When we read through the Apostles’ epistles, we see a consistent pattern, they often open and close their letters with the greeting, “Grace and peace to you” (see Romans 1:7, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2). These greetings reflects their deep understanding that grace has already been poured out upon those who believe on the Lord Jesus.

When Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh, Jesus responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Lord’s response here shows the same truth that God’s grace has already been given, and in our moments of weakness, we simply need to take hold of it.

Today, we as children of God are commanded to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We are not told to ask for what we already have but to receive what has already been made available. And our “time of need” is not just when we face great trials or difficulties; our time of need is daily, hourly, moment by moment.

So every time we pray, whether in the Spirit or in our understanding, we should declare:

“Lord, I receive Your grace for this moment.”

“I am weak, but You are strong in me.”

Two things we never had before the cross, but have now received freely through Jesus our Lord, are grace and peace. Before the cross, we had no peace with God because of sin and the curse. For the Jews, this meant a continual need for animal sacrifices. For us Gentiles, there was no hope at all. But now, through the cross, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1), and His grace has been abundantly poured out (Ephesians 1:7–8).

In a previous post, I have shared more in depth about the peace we now have through the cross.

Today and always, let us never forget that we have full access to God’s abundant grace. We do not need to ask for it as though we do not have it, we need to receive it.

Every day, in every moment, let us come boldly before our Father and take hold of the grace that is ours in Christ.

With Love,

Ejiro

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