My wife’s family is fearless when it comes to asking questions. No matter what the situation, they have no problem walking right up to someone they don’t know and asking for something in situations many of us would not be willing to approach. This goes for all of them-my father in law, mother in law, wife, and her only brother. It’s definitely a family trait. It can be embarrassing at times, but I admire this boldness because quite often it leads to us getting things we wouldn’t have normally gotten if we didn’t just ask.

I’ve watched my wife work this magic first hand now for almost 10 years. She may be on the phone with AT&T questioning a recent rate hike on our bill and 10 minutes later she has got them to go down on their rate and they are giving us 2 months free-it’s truly amazing. Early on I figured she must have gotten a little testy with the person on the other end of the phone but came to find out all she does is ask. Her family's typical response is, “what’s the worst thing they can tell you, no? So why not ask.”

In the same way we can apply this lesson to our spiritual lives. What’s the worst thing God can tell us, no? If that’s the case we live with the no, but if we at least ask we have a chance of seeing God’s hand move. In Isaiah chapter 38-40, King Hezekiah becomes sick and is informed that he will die in short order. Hezekiah’s response is prayer. He asks God to give him more time and what is God’s response? Isaiah 38:4-5 says, “The word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”

Hezekiah didn’t just accept the fact that he was a dead man walking. He was bold enough to simply ask something of God. Does this mean God will always say yes? Of course not, but as my wife’s family would say, “what’s the worst thing he can tell you, no? So why not ask! You may be surprised by the answer.