The Secret of Asking

Because we love Jesus and believe in him, we can go straight to God the Father with anything on our hearts , and when we ask in Jesus's name, our joy will be full.

Tonight's story is inspired by John 16:23b-28, the Gospel reading for May 16, 2026.

About Baa Baa Bible: Bible-inspired bedtime stories for children ages 3-10. In every story, Jesus is the gentle Good Shepherd, teaching us the lessons of today's Bible reading. All the other characters are lambs and sheep, a warm reminder that we are all part of his flock. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Secret of Asking, inspired by the Gospel of John sixteen twenty three B twenty eight. Tonight, the Bible shares a beautiful secret that we never have to carry our worries all by ourselves. Because we are friends of Jesus, we can bring anything at all to God our Father, who loves to hear our voice. And when we ask in Jesus' name, he fills our hearts so full of joy that nothing feels missing. So come back with me to Shepherd's Hill, where Clover has been holding a worry for days and days, and is about to discover the secret of asking. The sun had gone down behind the hills, painting the sky in deep rose and gold, and the meadow had grown soft and still. One by one the little lambs made their way to the top of Shepherd's Hill, where the grass was cool and the first stars were beginning to appear, tiny and bright as seeds of light. Biscuit arrived with a bounce, her golden brown tuft sticking up as cheerfully as ever, and she flopped down in the clover with a happy sigh. Old Woolly settled nearby, slow and steady, his silver wool glowing faintly in the dusk. But Clover was already there, and she had been sitting alone for a while. Her little cream colored wool was still, and the clover sprig behind her ear was drooping just a little. She was staring out at the far hills, her chin resting on her hooves. Clover, Bisket nudged her gently. What's wrong? You've been quiet all evening. Clover sighed. I've been carrying something in my heart, she said softly. A worry, and I've been trying to figure it out all by myself, for days and days. What kind of worry? asked old Wooly, his voice low and warm, like a fire on a cold night. Clover hesitated. I've been thinking about little Pip, she said. Pip was a young lamb, barely bigger than a loaf of bread, who had arrived at the edge of the meadow just last week. She had soft grey wool and enormous eyes, and she didn't know anyone yet, and Clover had seen her sitting alone each evening, looking very small and very far from home. I want her to feel less alone, Clover said, but I didn't know what to do, so I just kept worrying. Then a warm shadow fell across the hill, and the shepherd sat down among them. Jesus looked at Clover the way he always did, like she was the only lamb in the whole meadow. I heard you, he said gently. Clover looked up. You did? I always do, he smiled. But Clover, I have something to tell you. Something wonderful. Are you listening? All three lambs leaned in. Until now, Jesus said, you've been carrying your worries by yourself, but you don't have to do that anymore. You can bring anything, anything to my father. He already knows what's in your heart. He loves you so deeply because you loved me and you believe I came from him. His voice was so sure, so steady. He is not a faraway father. He is not a too busy father. He is more loving than the kindest parent you can imagine, and just like a good father loves to hear his child's voice, my father loves to hear yours. But how? Biscuit asked wide eyed. Ask in my name, Jesus said, not because those are magic words, but because you are my friends. When you ask as a friend of mine, when you ask for what is truly good, truly needed, my Father hears you, and your heart will be so full of joy that nothing will be missing. Clover was very quiet for a moment. Then she closed her eyes. Father, she whispered, Pip is very small and very far from home. Please let her feel that she is known, that she is loved, that she belongs here. I'm asking in Jesus' name. It was a small prayer, a very small prayer, but something happened when she said it. Something quiet and warm settled inside her chest, like someone had gently lit a candle there. She opened her eyes. I feel different, she said, a little surprised. Old Wooly smiled his slow, deep smile. That is joy, he said. That is what a full heart feels like. The stars were thick overhead now, and the meadow smelled of grass and evening. Somewhere down the slope, in the shelter of the old oak tree, little Pip had found a spot to curl up, and for the first time in a week she was not sitting alone. Three other lambs had tucked in beside her. Jesus looked out across the hill. I came from my father, he said softly, almost to himself, and I came into this world, and when the time comes, I will go back to my father. He looked at them warmly. I know the way, and I will never leave you without a way to reach him. Biscuit yawned, a wide woolly yawn. Clover's clover sprig was standing straight again, and one by one on Shepherd's Hill, under all those bright and patient stars, the lambs closed their eyes, their hearts were full. Dear Father in heaven, thank you for hearing me when I pray. Thank you for loving me because I love Jesus. Help me to bring my worries to you and fill my heart with joy. In Jesus' name, Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.