Sometimes we’re asking for a snake, even though we’re sure we’re asking for a fish. Relax, our father in heaven won’t give us a snake if a snake is no good for us. He gives good gifts to his children.

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Now, you might believe that God is sovereign and as a divine structural engineer, has everything worked out before hand, making prayer somewhat ineffectual. Curiously, scripture simply doesn’t teach this. From Moses changing God’s mind in Exodus 32:10 to Hezekiah asking for 15 more years to Iive in 2 Kings 20, God is open to a robust discussion in prayer about the future and He is open to granting your prayerful request.

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Maybe the most striking example of all of this type of openness to human decision making is Luke 22:32. When Jesus says to Peter with sadness just before the cross 31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

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How earnestly Jesus longed for Peter to come out right in his time of testing! But he left him free to succeed or fail before God and man—and, as it turned out, before all of subsequent human history. He used no condemnation, no shame, no “pearls of wisdom” on him. And he didn’t use supernatural power to rewire his soul or his brain. It was just this: “I have requested, concerning you, that your faith might not die.”

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Ask your father in heaven for what you need and ask your neighbour for what you need also, just as you would want to be asked yourself. And let them accept or deny your request, for this is the way of love.