The Catholic Leader Flipbook - Issue 5577 - November 10

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The Catholic Leader, November 10, 2019
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Terry Lees is a member
of the Mount Isa Catholic
parish.
BY TERRY LEES
Ask – it’s that simple
GOLD IN THE DAWNING SUN BY TERRY LEES
THE Leader Catholic
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IN my first job in the public service
in Canberra, my boss was a gruff but
very kindly, encouraging, down-to-
earth type, who taught me how to
ask.
George was secretary of the National Sheep
Dog Association and his goal was to stage the
National Sheep Dog Trials at a new venue in the
Australian Capital Territory.
He spared no effort in pursuing that end, and I
frequently witnessed his telephone conversations
as he sought sponsorship dollars to bring the
dream to reality.
He was bold and dogged (pardon the pun) in
his approach.
I listened in amazement as he made calls, ask-
ing for what he wanted.
Finally, I asked George how he could be so
bold with asking.
I’ve never forgotten his words: “Terry, Jesus
said, ‘Ask and it will be given to you’”.
“Young man, you’ll never get anywhere in
this world unless you ask for what you want
from life,” he said.
He went on to teach me one of the foremost
rules of sales: “If you ask ten times, you’ll get
two yeses! Two out ten ain’t bad.”
Well, George got his new venue and, a few
years later, was successful in inviting the Queen
and Duke of Edinburgh to attend the national
championships.
What a marvellous example of asking!
American author Mark Victor Hansen, who
started the Chicken Soup series of books with
Jack Canfield, teaches: “One of life’s fundamen-
tal truths states: Ask and you shall receive. Isn’t
that simple? Of course, it is. The world responds
to those who ask. Most people in this world,
however, find themselves in settled lives, never
really achieving or receiving what they hold in
their dreams … because they just never ask …”
Hansen claims there are five reasons people
fail to ask – ignorance, limiting and inaccurate
beliefs, fear, low self-esteem and pride.
Many of us don’t know what to ask for, who
to ask, when to ask, or even how to ask.
Since our childhood, we’ve been programmed
by parents, schooling, religious training and even
the media to stop asking.
Having learned all about rejection, embarrass-
ment, vulnerability and hurt in our childhood and
early adult years, we find it easier to settle for
less than deal with fear that’s resulted from these
past experiences.
Most of us feel unworthy or inadequate to cre-
ate the kind of life we want.
Many of us are convinced we need to do
everything for ourselves, or we’ll look foolish or
lose respect among our family and peers.
“Chicken Soup for the Soul” was rejected by
144 publishers.
With well over 100 million books sold to date,
more than 250 titles, and translations into more
than 40 languages, it is one of the most success-
ful series of all time.
Imagine what might have happened if Canfield
and Hansen had stopped asking after 10 or even
100 rejections.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that
whoever asks receives and that God will not fail
to give His children good things (Matthew 7:7
and 11).
So, what we ask for must be good in God’s
estimation.
Our prayers are based in relationship with
Jesus as a living presence in our lives.
“Whatever you ask in my name I will do, so
that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If
you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:13-14)
To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray based on
Jesus’ authority, but it also involves praying ac-
cording to the will of God, for the will of God is
what Jesus always did (John 6:38).
God knows what is good for us and is faithful
and loving to say “no” to selfish and foolish
prayers, no matter how much we want what
we’re asking for.
People who’ve mastered the art of asking
know what they want, are clear about their vi-
sion, purpose and goals.
They are passionate about what they are
requesting.
They act even when they feel fear.
They are persistent - if at first they don’t
receive, they ask, ask, ask until they do.
God will always give us good things.
Our job is to understand what is good, so that
we know what to ask for.
The natural mind cannot understand this.
But, when we “offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; …
let the renewing of your minds transform you,
so that you may discern … what is the will of
God – what is good and acceptable and mature
(Romans 12:1-2). Then, asking for what we need
in faith, we will have all we need for life, godli-
ness, and fullness of joy (John 16:24).
So, keep asking, have a golden day and treas-
ure life.
Ask in Jesus’ name: “Our prayers are based in relationship with Jesus as a living presence in our lives. ‘Whatever you ask in my name I will do, so
that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14)”