A surprising key to receiving God’s help is not asking too specifically nor too generally. (14 Aug 2022)

I prepare a talk every week in a few minutes using the SSET method. Typos and incompleteness are part of the exercise. Corrections and comments are appreciated. Occasionally I also polish these talks as part of my scripture study. You may adapt any of these talks or stories for your own use without credit. See A Talk Every Week, For Life. Seriously.

(Story) “Give Us The Problem, Not the Solution”

As a functional analyst, I’m often asked to convert software requests into requirements and coding descriptions that ensure good code and good solutions.

Recently, one analyst was asked to write “user stories” requesting that my higher education software team expand its database to allow longer course titles. Our system was truncating class titles to 250 characters, and the truncated titles confused people.

Wisely, this analyst asked a question before jumping to a quick solution: “If no software development were allowed, how would you solve this problem?” The requesting department thought, then said, well, we’d shorten all the course titles.” Then they thought, “Wait a minute, 250 characters is a LONG title for a class.” And they decided to shorten any long titles instead of asking for code. THAT solution helped everyone far more than changing the database would have. With zero code. 🙂

From experiences like these, our group adopted this principle of great software requests:

“Give us the problem, not the solution.”

“Give us the problem, not the solution.” Once we interview you and see the problem clearly, we can almost always help you find better solutions than you could come up with if you spent weeks designing something. That’s what we DO, after all. 🙂

(Scripture) Who Is Counselling Whom?

The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob wrote:

“Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to receive counsel from him.”

Jacob 4:10

(Explanation) Don’t Just Ask, Ask Effectively

“Give them the problem, not the solution” is a crucial principle in software development, leadership, and relying on experts. It unlocks the power of their minds instead of imposing our ideas on them.

More importantly, it’s a spiritual principle. I’ve found that when I ask the Lord for a particular solution rather than asking for an outcome, I’m unlikely to ask or guess right, and I’m far less likely to receive! I’m just not smart enough, especially compared to Him! What consultant could ever be wiser than the Lord, through the voice of His Spirit?

Worse, if I look closely and am truly honest with myself, I discover that my “immediate solution” requests are usually tainted by secondary personal desires rather than actual needs. As the Apostle James says:

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

James 4:3

Once recently, struggling with a HUGE problem—a legitimate concern—and not making much progress, this principle came to mind. It was a tiny, quiet thought, just an insight. I’m certain it was revelation in every sense of the word. I immediately changed my prayers. Instead of asking for this or that particular solution (many of which might even violate someone’s agency!) I immediately asked for the righteous end results I sought, regardless of how long it might take, rather than some quick fix of my choosing.

Interestingly, the end results I now asked for were undeniably appropriate. I wasn’t as sure about the particular solution I had previously asked for. Because there was no doubt that what I was asking for was right, I was able to ask with unshaken faith. I presented the problem needing a solution, then asked for His help in obtaining the ideal result. Immediately, the long-sought answers started to flow, and actual relief started to come, literally within seconds!

‘Never, until I called upon God in this manner, did I feel relief,’ to praphrase the words of Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon.

For example, we can ask God for:

• “Guidance of the Spirit to know what to do next” rather than “take this problem from me”
• “Peace or heart, and wisdom to be a peacemaker” rather than “help this person see that they are wrong”
• “Help my daughter fulfill her missions in life” rather than “cure her of this affliction right now”
• “Wisdom and opportunity to provide for my family” rather than “wealth” or “enough to meet our needs”

Now, we DO need to “study it out in [our] mind“ as the Lord says in DC 9:7-9. But the most important things to study out in our minds are the deepest, most fundamental, underlying principles or needs—what we and others REALLY need most—the ultimate general needs that are consistent with God’s plan and purposes rather than some obvious solution. One of my favorite principles in business and life applies here:

“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”

H. L. Menken

But, if instead we “study out” the REAL, most appropriate needs, the problem, and general end result rather than a specific solution, then we can ask for things that ARE consistent with the Lord‘s will. And when we ask consistent with his purposes, His help is assured!

(Testimony) “My God Will Give Me, If I Ask Not Amiss”

I testify from recent (and long) personal experience that what the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said is true:

“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss.”

1 Nephi 4:35

The Lord answers our prayers. We are, after all, His work and His glory. We are what He does! 🙂

So, if you or I are struggling to get a result, try pouring out the problem to Him in prayer, then ask God for the end result you desire. Express your willingness to submit to whatever solution He provides. That is faith and humility. Then look and listen for inspiration and packets of help. He is ready and willing and able—and even anxious—to help us.

I testify that He can and will answer those prayers—at the right time and place and speed and in the best way for all of us—if we ask appropriately.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.