Asking, Seeking, and Knocking in Prayer

N.T. #75 "Asking, Seeking, and Knocking in Prayer"

May 23, 2023

Matthew 7-Part 3

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7)

LET IT GLOW

Did you notice that Jesus made a contrast between outwards acts of worship (giving, praying, fasting) and inward attitudes of devotion (possessing, praying, judging)?

Today's topic is on prayer again. Jesus gives us another formula, if you will, for requesting for a heavenly intervention. It doesn't make God do what's outside His will but releases Him to do what is inside His will. (Tony Evans)

Whenever we have a need, we are to:

• Ask
• Seek
• Knock.

Pray; pray often, pray with sincerity and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a business of prayer, and be earnest in it. (Matthew Henry)

How often do we really pray? Maybe 3 times a day-when we wake up, eat lunch, and go to sleep. It seems to be typical of busy Christians. Then a crisis comes along and we hit our knees, begging for help. (Guilty!) What would life be like for us if we kept in a prayerful attitude throughout the day? When we had big decisions to make and small one-pray. When we wonder which road to take in life, a job, house, marriage-pray. When we meet folks as we are out and about in our community-pray for them.

Dare I say that life would be different for us and those around us if we prayed like that?

LET IT GROW

In the Greek language, ask means beg; call for; desire (to question by inquiry, information); request as a favor; to learn (understand).

When we ask of God, we come as a beggar with wants and burdens, needing support and supply.

Seek means to worship god; enquire; seek after, seek for, seek means.

We are to seek as for a thing of value that we have lost, or as the merchantman that seeks goodly pearls.

Are we seeking God's will in all matters of life? Are we seeking wisdom in His Word?

Knock  means to rap.

When we pray, we are knocking on heaven's door desiring to enter into the house (as one knocks on the front door before entering).

When we knock through prayer, Jesus Christ opens the door (for He is the Door) when He is our Savior, and we are admitted to converse with God, we are taken into His holy presence, His love, and His favor. However, sin shuts and bars the door against us. 

[Resource: Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew]

LET IT GO

Let go of pride, self, and seek God's will.

Pray more, ask more, seek more, knock more.