“In the Lord’s Prayer, the first petition is for daily bread. No one can worship God or love his neighbor on an empty stomach.”― Woodrow Wilson
When we think of the word PETITION, we envision a political worker with a clipboard asking us to sign a document to right a wrong in society. Our signature is needed along with hundreds of others to get the issue resolved on the ballot. A PETITION is a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to an authority with respect to a particular cause. It is an appeal or request, especially a solemn or humble one, to a deity or superior. Maybe petitioning is annoying— especially when it interrupts our day, but we admire the persistence of those workers because they’re adamant about their cause! Historically, petitions took weeks of canvasing. Now, Sharon Cooper writes, “with online petitions, organizers can receive hundreds of thousands of signatures within a matter of days. Because of their popularity, petitions are becoming one of the biggest drivers of social change. An online petition created in 2020 calling for justice for George Floyd is the most signed petition on Change.org with over 19 million signatures, inspiring nationwide conversations about policing and systemic racism in America.”
When we think of the word PETITION, we envision a political worker with a clipboard asking us to sign a document to right a wrong in society. Our signature is needed along with hundreds of others to get the issue resolved on the ballot. A PETITION is a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to an authority with respect to a particular cause. It is an appeal or request, especially a solemn or humble one, to a deity or superior. Maybe petitioning is annoying— especially when it interrupts our day, but we admire the persistence of those workers because they’re adamant about their cause! Historically, petitions took weeks of canvasing. Now, Sharon Cooper writes, “with online petitions, organizers can receive hundreds of thousands of signatures within a matter of days. Because of their popularity, petitions are becoming one of the biggest drivers of social change. An online petition created in 2020 calling for justice for George Floyd is the most signed petition on Change.org with over 19 million signatures, inspiring nationwide conversations about policing and systemic racism in America.”
In Scripture, petition is a part of prayer. Another word used in the Bible is supplication which is the action of asking or begging God for something earnestly or humbly. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (petition), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Many prayers are prayed without petition, “Lord, You see and know what’s happening…” There is no specific request of what we want the Lord to do, or how we want Him to intervene. When you are asked to sign a petition on the street, the writer gives great detail about what the problem is and what the signers of the petition are asking to see done to remedy the situation. Yet our prayers to God—the only One who can do anything about many of our difficulties, are vague, often without asking for anything at all.
Have you listened to your prayers lately? Some of us have difficulty asking for help… from others or from God. That disposition may be hindering your answers. Check to see if you’ve got an ask in there. Jesus told His disciples in John 16:2 “Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name [as my representative]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.” This sentiment is echoed in 1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” Don’t be afraid to petition, ask God for what you want. Sure, He could say NO or WAIT, if it’s not His will. Often He says YES! but don’t let it be said that you never asked.
