A Lesson on Prayer from Achsah

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs. Joshua 15:16 -19

The way Achsah asks her Dad for what she needed is an example of how we can ask God for what we need.

1. She came to him.
   “And it came to pass, as she came unto him,...” For God to answer your prayers, you must pray! You must come to God in prayer. It's a no-brainer! James 4:2 says “...ye have not, because ye ask not.”
   
   
2. Her request was reasonable.
   Land is not much good without water. She wasn't just being greedy and wanting more and more. Have you thought about what you are praying for? Is there a good reason why God should give you what you are asking for? Or are you just selfish or greedy etc.?
   
   
3. She was respectful.
   “...she lighted off her ass;...” She showed respect for her father by getting down from her donkey. How much more should you be reverent when praying to your Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Universe? You don't have to be in a church or down on your knees, but remember who you are and who you are praying to!
   
   
4. Caleb was willing to hear her request.
   What did Caleb say to her before she even opened her mouth? “What is it you want?” God is the same to you. Many times in the Bible He invites you to pray.
   Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
   
   
5. She acknowledged what Caleb had already given her.
   “...thou has given me a south land;” God wants you to ask, but he wants you to ask with a thankful heart. What has God already given you or done for you? Your attitude makes a big difference. In Philippians 4:6 we are told not to worry about anything but to pray about everything. But it says to pray 'with thanksgiving'. Don't be like a spoilt child who only sees what they don't have and forgets about all that they already have!
   
   
6. She was specific.
   She told him exactly what she wanted and needed. “Give me also springs of water.” If you're specific when you pray, you will see specific answers.
   
   
7. Caleb gave her more than she asked for.
   “And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.” When you pray, God often gives far more than you ask for.
   Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want Him to, but He does always answer. "No" and "Wait" are answers too! We can trust that He will answer in a way that is best for us. He knows what's best.