A brief family story in Judges 1 offers a beautiful reminder about prayer.

Caleb had promised his daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who conquered Kirjath Sepher. Othniel captured the city, and Caleb honored his promise. The man who would later serve as a judge of Israel became Achsah’s husband.

Caleb also gave his daughter land in the South. But land in that dry country needed something more to become fruitful: water.

When Achsah approached her father and dismounted from her donkey, Caleb asked:

“What do you wish?” — Judges 1:14 (NKJV)

Her answer was direct:

“Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” — Judges 1:15 (NKJV)

Caleb responded by giving her both the upper springs and the lower springs.

There is something wonderfully reassuring about that exchange. A daughter approached her father with a need, and he welcomed her request.

It reminds me of what Jesus said about our heavenly Father:

“Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” — Matthew 6:8 (NKJV)

He knows. Yet He still invites us to ask.

Some might read Achsah’s request as evidence that she was hard to please. Her father had already given her land. Why ask for more?

I see a daughter who knew her father well enough to bring him her need. She recognized the value of his gift, but she also understood what was needed to make that land fruitful. Asking for water did not diminish her gratitude for the land.

Gratitude and asking can live in the same heart.

We can thank God sincerely for what He has already done while asking Him for what we still need. Yesterday’s blessings do not make today’s requests unwelcome.

Achsah did not leave her need unspoken. She asked, and her father gave her both sets of springs.

What do you need from your heavenly Father today?

James writes:

“You do not have because you do not ask.” — James 4:2 (NKJV)

Those words should give us pause. We often think about prayers that have not been answered. But what about prayers that have never been prayed?

We worry over a situation. We rehearse the difficulty. We discuss it with others. Yet sometimes we fail to bring the need plainly and honestly to God.

Could it be that we are waiting for an answer while He is inviting us to ask?

Prayer does not inform God of something He has overlooked. He already knows and cares. We ask because we trust His heart, even when we do not understand His timing or the way He answers.

Paul writes:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” — Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

Our understanding of what is possible will never exhaust His power.

That does not mean every request will be granted exactly as we imagine. It does mean we can bring every need to Him with confidence in His wisdom, goodness, and abundant provision.

He has never been embarrassed by a lack of supply.

Perhaps you are grateful for the land but still need the springs. You recognize what God has given you, yet you need strength, wisdom, peace, or fresh direction to move forward.

Bring that need to your heavenly Father.

Thank Him for the land. Ask Him for the springs.