Jesus, help me understand this illustration: if I were trying to remove a huge rock out of my backyard, and, my neighbor had a large tractor that could remove it easily, but, I refused to ask for their help, I wouldn’t get their help. Even if, like God, they were more than willing to bring their tractor over and use it to remove the rock. Show me that if, for some reason, I didn’t want to ask for their help, I wouldn’t get it. Help me see that this is like my relationship with You.

Jesus, sometimes I am one of those people who knows that God is everywhere, knows everything, and can do anything. And, sometimes I wonder why He doesn’t step in and help me. Since He can see how bad my situation is, why doesn’t He do something? Help me understand that one reason is, I haven’t asked for His help.

Jesus, teach me that the first step to getting Your help with my issues with drugs is to ASK. Even though You know everything, You still REQUIRE that I ask You for everything I want You to help me with. Show me that asking is the way for me to INVITE You into helping me. Help me see that this is Your way of honoring my God-given free will.

Jesus, If I had a neighbor who would be glad to bring their tractor over and remove the huge rock out of my backyard, but, if they required one hundred dollars before they would do it, I might not allow them to do it for me. Show me if there is some kind of reservation in my heart where I am unwilling to “pay the price.”

Jesus, help me understand that if I see You as being too big, powerful, distant, and scary to be willing and desirous to be my friend, it would be my reason for not asking. Teach me that, that may be MY reason for not asking for Your help, but, it isn’t Your reason for not helping me. There are times when I am somewhat confused about You or upset with You; and, that may be my reason for not inviting You into my situation. Help me understand that whatever my reason is for not asking You for help, it is keeping me from getting Your help. Set me free from all reasons for not praying and asking You for Your help.

Jesus, in this illustration, if my neighbor brought their tractor over and removed the huge rock without me asking them to. A lot of things could happen in that situation that would go against my will. Their tractor could smash my fence and flowers; they could remove the wrong rock; or, they could put the removed rock in the wrong place. Show me that, that is the reason You and I must work together. You want to honor my God-given free will at all times; but, I have to be able to trust You with my life.

Jesus, help me understand that God has given everyone a free will so they will be humans rather than robots. Show me that He also did it so we would be His friends rather than His slaves. Make it clear to me that You consider those who ask for Your help to be asking for Your friendship. When I don’t ask for Your help, You see it as me NOT wanting Your friendship. So, You keep waiting for my invitation. Help me ask You for Your relationship and friendship.

Jesus, it is my right to refuse help; God has given me a free will and He and most people honor my right to decide what I want. I have the right to try everything within the scope of my abilities to remove this rock in my backyard. However, as long as I haven’t tried asking my neighbor for help, I won’t get it. Show me that human effort, me doing my best, and me using all my skills can keep me from ask You for help.

Jesus, help me understand that it is also my right to refuse help from You; I don’t have to ask for it if I don’t want to. You TOTALLY honor my God-given free will. If I forget to ask, don’t want to ask, or ask for the wrong thing, I won’t get help from You. Show me that the big issue is that I must ask before I even stand a chance to be helped by You.