INTRODUCTION
Prayer is one of the reasons people turn away from God. When their prayers are not answered, they would doubt the existence of God. But prayer is also one of the reasons people turn to God. When their prayers are answered their faith in God is strengthened. Let us find out why?
Read Matthew 7:7–11. (See Luke 11:9–13).
A. GOD’S COMMAND.
Ask, seek, and knock are different words with the same intention (v. 7). These may deliberately be in an ascending scale of urgency. The verbs are present imperatives and indicate the persistence with which we should make our requests know to God.
Read James 4:2 (NIV) He knows that we are timid and shy, that we feel unworthy and unfit to present our needs to God. That is why Christ wants to lure us away from such timid thoughts, to remove our doubts, and to have us go ahead confidently and boldly.
B. GOD’S PROMISE. (v. 8)
Jesus reassured the person who asks, seeks, and knocks to receive, find, and will be opened to by God (v. 8). God never turn away a person empty-handed. Read Romans 8:32 (NIV)
God did not hesitate to give His own Son for us all. What greater evidence do we need to prove His generosity? Evidently, His Son is more important than anything else in this world. How will he not also graciously give us all?
Read Jeremiah 29:12–13 (NIV) The assurance was given to those who would seek God wholeheartedly. The process of asking, seeking, and knocking is a marked of persistency that reflect the wholehearted desire of the petitioner.
C. GOD’S GUARANTEE. (vv. 9-11)
Our Father in heaven knows how to give good gifts to those who ask him (vv. 9-10). Notice that Jesus here assumes, even asserts, the inherent sinfulness of human nature. But at the same time, sinners do not deny their children of good gifts. How much more is our heavenly Father? He is a lot better than us and there is no way that we defeat God in this endeavor.
Read James 1:17 (NIV)
How can we prevent the idea that we can just ask God what we want (extravagantly and maliciously) and He would answer them? We need to refer to other instructions on prayer and we’ll found God’s conditions.
D. GOD’S CONDITIONS
1. If you believe
Read Matthew 21:22 (NIV) and James 1:6–8 (NIV)
Believe and not doubt. Doubters are not rewarded. God desires a stable and committed relationship. He wants people who will trust Him in spite of rather than because of. Believe that whatever God gives is good for us. Believe that God gives generously to all without finding fault. Believe that God is able.
2. Two of you agree
Read Matthew 18:19 (NIV) There must be agreement and unity among God’s people. Anything that builds the unity of His people in doing His work, he would grant it. God desires that we will work in unity. Agreement qualifies our prayer making sure that it is fair for everyone.
3. Ask in Christ’s name
Read John 14:13–14 (NIV). It is not by our righteousness and goodness that we could come to God with confidence. It is only by the grace and mercy of God through the Lord Jesus Christ that have access into God’s presence.
Jesus is our Savior and only mediator between us and God. He is the one who gave his life for us as sacrifices for our sins. It is only by his representation that God would honor our prayers.
4. Remain in Christ and in His words
Read John 15:7 (NIV). Prayer is one of the most abused Christian disciplines. People only use it when they need it. Prayer is not the customer service of heaven. Prayer is an evidence of our relationship with God.
God promise to answer our prayer is relative ot our abiding in Him and in his words. The relationship is the conduit that the answer to answer is delivered. Obedience clears the clog in the conduit so the delivery of God’s answer to our prayers may easily reach us. It is essential that we are committed in obeying Christ’s teachings.
5. Might go and bear fruit
Read John 15:16 (NIV). The promise was given in relation to God’s plan and productive life for His people. Our prayers are answered when we are committed to the Great Commission and Christlikeness. We are on a mission for God and that is the reason He is committed in sustaining us. God’s provision is not just for our own luxurious living.
Every time we receive anything from God, we must check on God on how we are going to dispense it. It is God’s desire that we would not only be well-provided but for us to become responsible and maturing followers of Christ.
6. Ask with right motives
Read James 4:3 (NIV) Motives are important. God check our motives in prayer. Make sure that it is not for selfish reason that we ask, knock, and seek God. God’s answer to our prayers is resources to be used in accordance to His will for our lives.
He did not promise to answer our prayers so we can sustain our bad habits, extravagant living, and feed our pride and arrogance. God’s answer to our prayers are not for our pleasures but for what pleases Him.
CONCLUSION
God promises to respond to those who ask, seek, and knock because He is our Father who gives good gifts to His children. However, it is always based on the premise of unselfishness and commitment to His agenda. For this reason we need to think not only what we pray for but also why we pray for them.
