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Luke 18:1-8: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

 

James said, " You have not, because you ask not." This is the truth. I work with clients on a daily basis in my profession. A lot of times I lead them in a process where things become very apparent. I am an anti-sales guy. I am more of an advisor, and someone who can lead people to make a good decision about their particular circumstance. 

Along the way, I have attended many seminars, and educational conferences that teach how to be a closer. The word closer has so many connotations, and probably more negative than positive. I always went to these things prior to being a Christian. I was on the edge of my seat for an edge to be successful in business and so I would look for any crumb that made sense and I would try it out immediately. They never worked really, they were often gimmicks, and ways around the point. They would be psychological, or even waiver on the unethical. There was this one guy I listened to, and he stuck with me for as long as I had heard it for the first time over fifteen years ago. He said, do you ask? Do you just ask for what you want to see happen in the process? I thought, wow, this guy is simple, but he is hitting a nerve here. This was the part that really stuck with me. He said, anyone have kids? What do you think their closing ratio is?  Now for those of you who do not know what a closing ratio is, it is simply the amount of sales per opportunities. so if I talked with one hundred people, and ninety-two said yes, my closing ratio is 92%. 

So, what I have come to realize as a parent, is that my children have an amazing closing ratio! I have not calculated my business closing ratio in many years, but the industry standard is around 25%. 

My kids ask for a million things a day, and if it is within reason, I give it to them. Often, it is because I want to give them something of value that will bring joy to their life, but sometimes, I have to admit, I just dont want to deal with the idea of having that request come up fifty more times in the next twenty-four hours! Obviously, if it is something that will bring harm, or will not truly bring joy, than I am not going to say yes regardless of how many times they ask, but it I know in my heart that its no big deal, you better believe that I say yes. Why? Because they asked for it. Their closing ratio is strong, because they know they have a desire for it. They are successful because they cannot get it on their own. They come to me and ask in the position of need or desire. 

Anyone who is a parent deeply desires to give their children everything they can. It is built in to us.  The same is true for our Father in heaven. He longs to give us the desires of our hearts along with the needs of this life. The key is to be like children to Him. That is who we are. Ask Him for it in prayer. Over, and over if it means that much to you. 

You have not, because you ask not. Do it, pray and ask Him. 

 

Father, thank You for adopting us as Your children and that through our relationship with You we are blessed and favored.  Thank You that you are more than happy to hear our prayers and answer us to bring us joy. In Jesus name, amen.