During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton oversaw the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, asking to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. However, she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood—the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely.
Likewise salvation is given freely to all who ask God for it.