Did y’all know that we are SUPPOSED to ASK God to meet our needs? In the Lord’s Prayer (which is a pattern that is given to us to use) we 
are told to ask God for our daily provision. God wants us to ASK him for what we need. He EXPECTS us to ask (Psalm 5:3). There is something about the act that he likes. We need Him and when we ask we are acknowledging that we need Him. He wants to remind us that we require Him and He cares for us. He WANTS to do things for us, instead of His children being in the mindset that we are independent and doing things for ourselves. He delights in the details of our lives (Psalm 37:23 NLT); what is important to us is important to Him. He WANTS to give us good gifts, but He wants us to ask (Matthew 7:11).
Some people say, “Well God knows the need,” or “He knows what is going on, he will take care of it,” and it’s true, He DOES know, but He still wants you to ASK. He TELLS us to ask (Mark 11:24). He wants us to come before his throne and petition him and pour out our hearts to Him. I’ve had people tell me (regarding prayer and petition) that the second the thought is in our mind, He knows it, and that’s the same as prayer. And while I agree that God is an omnipotent, all-knowing Creator, I DON’T believe that THINKING is the same as ASKING or PRAYING. THINKING is meditation, and we ARE to meditate on God’s Word. In fact, the Word has a LOT to say about our thought life. But it doesn’t tell us to THINK our petitions. He tells us to ASK. Open our mouths, and ASK.
On a personal note, can I just tell y’all how much my prayer life changed when this became clear to me? I was always one to “silently pray.” (I know that’s a shock to any of y’all who know me, that I would do ANYTHING silently!) But when I understood that prayer is OPENING YOUR MOUTH, my whole prayer life was turned upside down. Things changed. I began to get 
answers and the Lord began to speak to me while I was praying in a way that had never happened to me before. Of course, there are always exceptions. If a person is UNABLE to speak, that is different. But if you have a voice, USE IT! Go off by yourself and USE THE VOICE GOD GAVE YOU!
Meditation certainly has its place. We are told over and over again to think and meditate on the laws, precepts, and lessons, in the Word of God. And it’s VERY important to do that. Meditating on the Word is how we get it into our spirit. It’s how we arm ourselves for warfare. Many times, it’s how God speaks to us. Do you recall what happened when Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and Satan was tempting Him? Jesus quoted scripture. That’s how He did spiritual warfare. When Satan came and tempted and twisted the truth, Jesus quoted scripture to him.
So yes, we are called to meditate and think on the Word. But that’s NOT praying. Meditation and prayer are like apples and oranges. They are two different things. The Word says that out of the abundance on the heart, the mouth speaks. SPEAK your needs to God. ASK Him for 
provision. Ask Him to fill your needs. And then THANK Him for the things He has done for you.
James 4:2-3 says that we have not because we ask not. Let’s face it, if He didn’t require us to ASK, we would never pray. We would just walk around and expect everything to be done for us. We would be lazy in our prayer life and our communication and intimacy with God.
When you PRAY and ASK about something and God answers your prayers, then it boosts your faith! There is a JOY like no other in petitioning the Lord for something and knowing He has heard your prayer and answered it!
John 16:24 ESV Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Psalm 5:3 NIV In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Mark 11:24 NIV Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
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