It’s OK to Ask for Grace

I was reading a Facebook message from Jo Hancock, founder of His Vessel Ministries, which really spoke to my heart. Here is a little of it: “THEN PRAY FOR GRACE. It is the GRACE of God poured out in your heart …” She said more but really the Holy Spirit stopped me at “PRAY FOR GRACE.”

I’m really good at praying for mercy (the compassion and forgiveness toward me from God not to give me the judgment for sin I deserve.) As I said, I’m really good at praying for mercy because I need a lot of daily mercy. I am confident that God forgives through Christ Jesus. This is The Great Compassion shown by God to cover my daily sinful boo boos.

But it seems I either didn’t know I could pray for grace, or forgot I could pray for grace, or didn’t feel worthy to ask for grace. Grace is the free unmerited favor bestowed extravagantly on me in the form of blessings made possible with my salvation through Jesus Christ. I guess I just waited to see if God would bless me. He did but I never asked for more.  Maybe I was missing the outpouring of Gods good things for me. Maybe I was missing the awareness of the little gifts poured on me from God each day and only noticed the big knock me in the head obvious blessings.

My Bible quest in, “Do I pray for grace?” was quite a revelation:

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

Palm 142:1 I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy. ... My voice is unto Jehovah, I cry, my voice is unto Jehovah, I entreat grace. ... 

1 John 1:16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It seems not only will my Father God lavish gracious blessings on me but I can entreat, beg, and implore My God for grace.

I like this little quote from Suzanne Eller's book Mended Heart: “He invites us to step into His presence where mercy and grace await to help us in our time of need. (This is a great book I read at the beach. God used this book to overhaul and begin to mend my broken heart.)

I’m so happy to finally find out after all these years of being a Christian that, yes, “little ole me” can confidently ask for grace from my Heavenly Father.

And do you know what? He’ll give it.

“I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous Presence.” Christopher Columbus