What is it that Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady and Tiger Woods have in common? They are great athletes at the top of their respective sports. But that is not what makes them great or respected highly by us and their peers. It is something else.
I would add that this something else is actually the cause of their greatness. What is that? Neither of them step onto the basketball court, football field or golf course thinking "I might lose." Even when they are trailing on the scoreboard. Jordan, Kobe, Brady and Tiger all believe they can and even should win when they enter into the arena. That, I believe, is what makes them great and cause us to marvel at their accomplishments. Losing is simply not an option in their mind.
When Abraham's servant went before the Lord he was specific in his request. A large reason for such specificity was that the servant did not approach prayer as if he would lose (as if God would not answer him). No, he prayed specifically because he did not fear a no from the Lord. He did not pray a safe prayer that gave God an out just in case the answer did not come. He prayed like he had a big God. He believed the Lord would answer him.
The power of praying specifically comes from the heart of a saint who bows his or her knee to the Father of the universe and believes the Lord will say yes! Part of the reason we fail to be specific in our praying is because we add caveats to the otherwise open and extraordinary promises of God. The Lord promises the following:
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and
does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for
him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it
will be yours (Mark 11:23–24)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, 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)
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for
you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples
(John 15:7–8)
Let me provide a definition for the term "whatever." It means, to emphasize that there are no restrictions to any thing or amount, no matter what. That's clear, right? Now add that definition to the texts above and here is what you get as a summary statement:
"Ask the Lord for whatever you want. There are no limits to what you can ask because there
is nothing off limits. Everything is on the table for you to ask for. He wants to give you good
you the desires of your heart. He wants to move mountains and obstacles from your life.
Ask Him and if you believe that He will give it to you, He will do it for you."
I plead with you to believe that the Lord is a good and gracious Father who delights in pleasing His children. He gives you these promises of prayer and says "ask me."
Do not step into the field, course or court of prayer already thinking He won't answer. That dishonors Him. Do not think that you will suffer a loss in your WHATEVER YOU WISH request. That is not how the Lord works. He wants to bless you because He gets pleasure in blessing you through answering your prayers for His glory. This servant prayed specifically because he understood God to be a God willing to grant the desires of His children.
So, stop praying and then rising in doubt (James 1:6). NOTHING will come from that. Instead, delight in the Lord as your bountiful Father believing that He is a Rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Recognize that you could never ask anything above what He is able and willing to give (Ephesians 3:20). Then, stand still and watch the desires of your heart come flooding in and over your life (Psalm 37:4).