Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

 

One lesson my Dad taught me was that it’s often worth asking.  I remember we went to a sporting event and we were told we could buy seats on metal bleachers and sit in 95 degree heat for $1, or purchase “box” seats with real chairs, and some shade.  So he asked, what is the price difference?  The response shocked us, a buck.  That’s it!!!  All he had to do what ask and I found out that what sounds like a HUGE difference was in fact very little.

 

This is how we often pray.  God I won’t ask you for that because it’s too big, it’s too much, there is just no way that could ever come true, so instead I will ask for something much smaller, something that I could probably get or do myself.  In Matthew 21:21 Jesus talks to the disciples about the importance of praying BIG and from the heart, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.”  Notice what he says, you are not praying because God is a holy ATM or genie, but praying from a place of faith and trust in Him.

 

As you pray don’t censor God, don’t “filter out” your prayers because it sounds hard or complex, because you are talking to the God who made the universe.  Trust me what you are asking is likely easier or smaller than creating the world and sending His innocent son to die on the cross for people who don’t deserve it, and can never return the favor.  Instead pray from the heart, and pray with faith that says, I am not God, and I don’t know what God is thinking.  God I will pray for what has been placed on my heart, and trust that if it is your will, not matter how “big” or small, You will do it.  God says, ask, seek, knock, and let me take care of the rest.

 

Pastor Bill

 

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you want to ask God for in prayer?
  2. Is there something you have wanted to pray for sometime but have not?  Why or why not?
  3. What is your biggest reservation to pray for “big” things or to ask God for anything in prayer?