LESSONS FROM ELISHA: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR MORE

Key Text: “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” 2 Kings 2:9 KJV

When Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted before he was taken away, Elisha did not ask for money, a bigger house, a comfortable life or even a successful ministry. He said, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” That was a bold request. Elisha understood that what he needed for his assignment could not be produced by human strength alone. Sometimes, you have to recognize that the next level of your assignment requires a deeper measure of God’s grace.

There is nothing wrong with asking God for more when what you are asking for is connected to His purpose for your life. Elisha was not saying, “Make me more popular than Elijah.” He was asking for the capacity to continue the work. This is an important distinction because more is not always about having more things; sometimes more means more capacity, more wisdom, more grace, more discipline and more spiritual sensitivity. A person can have more money and still have less peace, more followers and still have less impact, more opportunities and still lack the wisdom to handle them.

Many of us pray small prayers because we have become comfortable with small expectations. We have seen people receive something and concluded, “At least let me have something too.” But God may be inviting you to think beyond survival. If you are called to influence young people, ask for grace to reach them. If you are called to lead, ask for wisdom to lead well. If you are called to build, ask for capacity to build something that will outlive you. Do not reduce your prayers to what you think you can achieve; bring your God given assignment into the conversation and ask for the grace required to fulfil it.

Prayers and Confession
Father, enlarge my capacity for everything You have called me to do. Give me wisdom, strength, grace and spiritual sensitivity for my assignment. Teach me to pray beyond my immediate needs and to desire what will make me more useful in Your hands. I refuse to settle for less than God’s purpose for my life. I receive grace for greater capacity, greater wisdom and greater impact. I will not be intimidated by the size of my assignment because God’s grace is sufficient for me. Amen.

Reflection
If God asked you today, “What do you want Me to do for you?” would your request reflect your comfort or your calling?

Further Reading: 2 Kings 2:9 to 15; James 1:5; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Kings 3:5 to 13; Philippians 4:13