“You lust and do not have… because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas. 4:2-3). For a very long time, I could not understand the meaning of these words; what does ‘asking amiss’ (in Armenian translation: ‘asking in an evil way’) mean? Praise God, a time came when I suddenly understood the meaning of these words, and I want to share this, because I know that this will benefit many.
During the last 4-5 years, it was a huge problem for me to find a parking spot. As a rule, I used to park my car 200-300 meters far from the place I needed. Sometimes my sister joked, “You can order a taxi to go to your destination from your parking spot.” However, one of my assistants, Geghetsik, always managed to find the most convenient parking spot for her car everywhere.
Recently our Ministry Team was meeting in a café on Saryan Street. Geghetsik was the first to come, and I was the last one. And the irony was that Geghetsik found a very convenient parking spot right next to the café, and I, driving along the whole Saryan Street twice, finally had to park my car by the Opera Theatre, and walk to the café. I think you understood how long I had to walk. I had already put up with this thought and was comforting myself that it’s not only me who had difficulties with parking, and I should be thankful for having a car, after all…
After that incident, I had a business meeting in an office on Amiryan Street. Knowing that this street is always busy, I prayed, “Lord, You are a righteous God and You love all Your children, but You give more grace to those who serve You. I pray, just like You always bless Geghetsik to find a convenient parking spot, bless me as well, so that I can find a parking spot for my car on Amiryan Street, very close to that office.” After praying, I boldly drove to Amiryan Street. Right in the place I wanted, I saw a free spot for only one car. Thanking the Lord, I parked my car and hurried to the meeting.
On that day, I understood what it means “…you do not have because you do not ask or because you ask amiss.” I received the answer to my prayer right away, because I understood that I should not be content with only having a car, and should not compare myself to those who do not have one, but should be grateful for what I had and go further in my requests. And when I asked the Lord about the parking spot, in my heart, I did not have envy or anger toward Geghetsik. I did not wonder why she always manages to find a parking spot easily in any place, no matter how busy the streets are.
A couple of days later, I met Nvard, a woman from our Church, who came up to me smiling and said that she wanted to talk to me. I know this woman for a very long time; her husband was killed in action Artsakh, and she raised her two boys alone. For years, Nvard did not have an accommodation, and she knocked at many doors. First, she was ready to have an apartment in any place, but then she came to a thought that her apartment should be in a new apartment building, and she unshakably believed and waited for it.
She reminded me that in one of my sermons about the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ, I said that through the power of the Cross, we could have all the good things, which the Lord predestined for us. And then I gave my own testimony, that the Lord had answered my request by giving me an apartment. When Nvard listened to that sermon, she was filled with faith, and asked the Lord for an apartment in a new apartment building, thinking if the Lord gave it to me, He would give it to her as well.
When she was telling about it, I added, “You know, you have received your apartment not only because you believed in the power of the Cross of the Lord, but also because you did it in a good way; you just received a revelation that the Lord, Who can give an apartment to one of His children, to Gayane, in this case, can give an apartment to you as well.” Nvard agreed and then invited me to her apartment, which was already properly furnished.
Father God is ready to make His children happy, only our prayers shall be without bad intentions, from pure heart and according to His will, the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). And most importantly, our possessions shall glorify the Lord. So let us ask in order to have, and let us ask with a good heart.