When you daven, ask for a lot. Don't be stingy with your requests because Hashem can give you everything you need in abundance.
A visitor at Reb Shimon bar Yochai's kever shouted, "Five thousand shekels! Just five thousand shekels, that's all I'm asking for." His shouts disturbed a wealthy person who stood next to him. So, the rich person asked him what he was praying for. The man replied that he needed five thousand shekels to pay his rent, and if he didn't pay it, he would be evicted from his apartment.
The wealthy man gave him five thousand shekels and said, "Stop asking for five thousand shekels. You are ruining the market. People are here asking for much more than that, and with your being satisfied with five thousand shekels, you are lowering the bar for all of us."
This humorous story reminds us not to ask for small amounts. Hashem can give so much, so we might as well ask for a lot, as it states (Tehillim 81:11) הרחב פיך ואמלאהו, "Open your mouth wide and I shall fill it." Rashi explains that you should open your mouth wide לשאול ממני כל תאות לבך, "To ask of Me whatever your heart desires." We can ask for a lot, and Hashem will grant it to us.
A husband asked his wife to go to Rebbe Meir of Premishlan zt'l to request a brachah for children. They were a wealthy couple, but they remained barren after many years of marriage. He told his wife to tell the Rebbe that he was prepared to sacrifice all his wealth if need be, as long as they could have children.
When the woman came to the Rebbe, she stumbled on her words and accidentally said, "My husband said he agrees to remain wealthy as long as we can have a child." The Rebbe laughed because he understood what she wanted to say.
The Rebbe said, "But you spoke correctly. Hashem can give you both – children and wealth. Why should we limit ourselves? We should ask for a lot."
RABBI ELIMELECH BIDERMAN
