But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts … should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

James 1: 6-7 NIV

I love wrapping gifts. It brings me as much joy to make a present beautiful as it does deciding what to give. 

At Christmas, I pick which paper and ribbon to use and wrap the packages alike. One year, I decided I wanted to use zebra print paper with red organza bows. I could not find it anywhere, but I didn’t want to give up searching.  

I asked the Lord if there was any zebra paper in town, and if so, would He show me where to find it? 

You may think it ridiculous to bother the Lord with a trivial request. But He has shown me He loves for us to ask Him for even the smallest thing, because He cares about the intimate details of our lives. I asked a coworker if she knew of a place to buy wrapping paper. She told me about a place that was only open from November 1st to New Year’s Eve. I had never heard of it.  

The next morning, Wrapping Paper Warehouse was my first stop. It was in a run-down building tucked away behind a restaurant. The only sign was a piece of paper taped to the door. Even though it seemed super sketchy, I had hope.

When I opened the door, to my heart’s delight, I saw an entire box of zebra print wrapping paper with a light shining on it! 

God answered my silly prayer. He wants to answer yours, too.

The first step in having prayers answered is to ask. Then believe that He hears and will answer. James 1:6-7 (NIV) tells us, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts… should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

He wants to bless us and for us to depend on Him, even for small things. In turn, it strengthens our faith when we ask and He answers.

Johna Clemons