Dallas Willard has left me with one phrase over the years: “The nature of the Kingdom is to ASK.”

In Matthew 7, he puts the context of “asking” squarely in human relationships first, not in prayer. The reason is it follows the paragraph about casting pearls before swine. In dealing with people. it is far better to approach with thoughtful questions than pointed accusations. In the nature of asking we come with a graciousness. It allows for opportunities to open up. When the one needing help realizes help is truly needed, they are far more likely to open up in an atmosphere of graciousness. (There are certainly caveats to this. But, they are exceptions to the rule. The biggest exception I can think of is Nathan calling out David by saying, “You are the man!”)

But asking is ALSO for prayer, as Willard points out. Asking is crucial in Kingdom life. If we really want to influence for good and we’re not getting through to someone, what do we do? We ASK God!

When we have conflict and we can’t find a way to the solution… ask God.

We are battling the desires of this world and the forces that call out for our allegiance… ask God.

Willard quotes Bonhoeffer: “The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our fellowship is in Jesus Christ alone, the more serenely shall we think of our fellowship and pray and hope for it.”

We are to live our lives bathed in prayer. The nature of asking is prayer. We want to learn, so we ask. It’s not about a child wanting a toy in a store and throwing a tantrum. It’s walking hand in hand with the Father and having a “Q&A” session as well. We settle into the pattern of prayer Jesus gave his disciples. That pattern is at the heart of the life and earthly community of the disciples of Christ.