Matthew 7:7-12
Jesus has been setting out the standards required of those who are citizens of His kingdom. One thing is clear; we cannot live the supernatural life He has been speaking of in our own strength. We need to call upon the help of the Father. So, here Jesus teaches more about prayer.
He tells us that prayer involves asking, seeking and knocking. These verbs are in the present tense, meaning that we should be doing them continually. It says in the Amplified Classic translation: “Keep on asking… keep on seeking… keep on knocking…”. These three words carry an increasing level of intensity. The words, “seeking” and “knocking” imply that we may experience some opposition or difficulty, which we will need to push through before we see the answer to our prayers. But we also have a promise here that, if we pray with confidence and determination, we will see the answer to our prayers. God is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, see also Proverbs 8:17, Jeremiah 29:12-13).
Our confidence rests on the character of our God. As Jesus points out, even human fathers will normally respond to their children’s requests and give them good things. How much more does our Heavenly Father – who went to such lengths to win us back to Himself – want to bless us? (See Romans 8:31-32). Our God is good, He is faithful, He is is generous. We can ask Him for whatever we need in the expectation that He will respond to us.
However, as the apostle James made clear, it is important that we pray with the right motives.
James 4:2b-3 (ESV) “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
What we ask for must be in God’s will for us. Just as no responsible father would give his child what is bad for them, no more will God. He is the giver of good and perfect gifts (James 1:17).
1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
Prayer
Thank You Lord God that You are a good and faithful Father who loves to bless His children with good things. Help me to keep asking, seeking and knocking in the confidence that, if I pray aright, You will hear and answer my prayers.
Right now I need …………. in order to fulfil Your kingdom work in my life. I believe this is in Your will for me and I am trusting You to provide. Thank You.
Amen.
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