Lines were long at the Walmart, but my wife and I dutifully waited our turn to check out. There were four bulging shopping carts ahead of us. Then three. Then two. It was then that I asked, “What are we buying?” The answer was nothing. We had looked at a few items, had not found what we wanted, and had made an order online at another store. Then we got in line to pay for our non-existent purchases. I’m not sure how we would have explained this if we hadn’t realized it before reaching the cashier.
In John 15:7, Jesus promises, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” With such a big promise, why do I so often find myself asking for nothing in prayer? Others come to Jesus with their shopping baskets full of needs, while I wait patiently behind them, thinking I must be more spiritual because I don’t need anything. The truth is that those who ask for nothing receive nothing.
If I were generous, I would ask the poor fellow in front of me if I could lighten his shopping basket by putting some of his items into my empty cart. Theologians call that intercession—praying for the needs of others. I’m not saying prayer is like shopping, but there are some similarities.