The following meditation was written by Kyaunnee Richardson, opera singer.
“Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you.” Matthew 7:7, 8
Prayer has always been a staple for me growing up. My parents set the example and instilled a strong prayer life within my sister and myself. As I grew older, I began to see the importance of prayer in one’s life, from traveling mercies, big decisions, or thanking God for allowing one to see another day of life. My parents taught the whole family how to pray: we gather in a circle, hold hands, and pray over each member of our family. They made sure we were all covered under prayer. I also learned that prayer is a conversation with God, not a fancy, long-winded essay with eloquent words. Simply, “Dear God or Heavenly Father or Father in Heaven or Father God, I thank you for this day.” And he listens. As I searched the Scriptures, I found passages of how those who are committed to prayer and have a close relationship with God “moved mountains.” I wanted to test this.
In my prayer life, I wake up in the quiet early mornings of the day, pull out my journal, and begin talking with God. A lesson from a Bible study in high school brought me to Matthew 7:7,8. As I studied it, one word popped out twice: ask. It’s mentioned as the passage’s first word and mentioned again as an acronym of the whole verse. It led me to two people from the Old Testament: Joseph and, one who is often overlooked, Jabez. We all know the story of Joseph. There’s even a hit musical about him starring Donny Osman! While studying his life, I realized he never doubted God. Through his trials and suffering, Joseph’s faith in his Creator eventually brought him to have his dreams manifested, not only to better his circumstances, but to save the nation of Israel, which was part of God’s master plan. On the other hand, there’s Jabez, a man whose name meant “pain.” Yet he cried out to God and asked boldly, “O bless me, indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”[1] God answered his prayer.
I figured if God could answer the prayers of Joseph, Jabez, and my parents, he could do the same for me. I tested this and asked God to guide me in my life and singing career. I began to see him open doors for me and bring people into my life that were an absolute blessing. There were also times where I did not understand the route he was taking me. Yet my parents would always say, “What’s for you is for you.” In other words, I had to trust in God, his timing, and that he had my best interest at heart. Whatever I asked for, he heard me and the only thing I was required to do was keep going, have faith, and not doubt. I’d seek his council and keep knocking until that door opened. Simple, right? It is. My life is a testimony of prayer. As I continue to walk through this life, I see glimpses of why God brought me through certain things and the purpose he has placed upon my life—much like Joseph. And when I ask boldly for my dreams, stand firm on his promises, and they end up coming to fruition, I thank my heavenly Father for it, much like Jabez. I dare you to do the same.
Joy,
[1] 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, NKJV
