Why Hesitate?

I wonder how many of us are guilty of coming to the Lord in prayer being very timid in our request and attitude toward Him. I mean, we come to God as if we have to pry the answer to our prayer out of His hands and convince Him to answer our request. This thought occurred to me the other day as I read the account in Genesis of God coming to Abraham to let him know He was about to bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah because of the many sins they had committed. 
When Abraham knew what The Lord was intending he began to intercede for the people of that city, just in case there may be a few who were righteous within its borders.  I noticed the hesitation of Abraham as he approached God with his concern. In many ways that is totally understandable. Abraham was not entertaining just any guest. This was his Lord, and our Lord as well, the Creator of heaven and Earth, who will one day judge all people. No wonder Abraham was careful as to how he approached God. Yet at the same time we notice how willing God was to grant the mercy Abraham was asking of Him.  As we read  the account we see Abraham hesitating to ask but still asking. Lord, what if there's fifty righteous? Lord, be patient with me, but what if there's forty?   Lord, don't be angry with me but what if there's thirty? He continues until he is down to ten, and in each case God is quick to say I will have mercy. Finally God said He will spare the city even if there's only ten righteous.
I guess what stood out to me is that, we can be very slow to ask, and when we ask, very slow to expect that God is willing to answer our request. Why? None of us are deserving of His patience and goodness. But He is a good God and willing to show mercy to us daily. His mercy extends even to a Sodom, a Gomorrah, the most wicked people or nations may receive of Gods mercy because of Jesus Christ. So why do we hesitate at times to ask? Maybe we think our sins are to deep for God to pay any attention to us.  Or maybe we think He doesn't concern Himself with me or my situation, after all, many people have much more serious problems then I'm facing.  The truth is that now that Jesus Christ has redeemed us and brought us into His kingdom, we have confident access to His very throne, and His very heart. Hebrews tells us to come boldly into the throne of grace to find help in a time of need. We come boldly, but not arrogantly. 
A leper came to Jesus once and said, "Lord if you're willing you can make me clean."   Jesus response was quick. "I am willing, be cleansed." Just as God was willing to respond to Abraham, and Jesus was willing to respond to the leper, so He is willing to respond to our prayer just as quickly.
So, as this new year begins, let's be bold to ask God for great things and know that He is willing and able, to do more than we can even ask! He is not hesitant, like we can be, but He is patient. I think part of His patience is waiting on a hesitating people who are unnecessarily slow to ask. Ask today! Seek today! Know that His promise is for all who call upon Him in truth and faith.