Blake Allen, Student and Outreach Minister, LHBC
Matthew 7:7
7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Over the last few weeks I have seen God on the move. What I mean by this is that He has answered so many prayers of mine, especially over the past few weeks. It has really changed my attitude towards prayer. Prayer has been on the forefront of my mind and it’s amazing to see how God uses prayer.
But what happens when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers? Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt the Lord was silent? How are we to respond in those silent moments? Matthew provides us the answer. When we feel the Lord is silent when we pray, we are to pray more.
Matthew 7:7 tells us that we are to be persistent in prayer. Typically when we don’t receive an answer to prayer immediately, we stop praying or believing the Lord will answer our prayers. But where is the faith and trust in that? This is the God of the universe who tells us a little faith can move mountains!
God knows exactly what we need but He desires a relationship with Him. This requires constant communication with Him. We don’t stop talking to our spouse, friends, or family when they don’t give us something we request immediately. Why would we do that with our Lord? The reality is God wants us to constantly come to Him with our needs. He tells us in Matthew 6:33 that He will provide all we need if we seek Him first.
God is ready and willing to answer your prayers according to His will. This doesn’t mean He will grant us everything we selfishly ask for. But if you know Christ, are living for Him, have enduring faith, and are living a Spirit filled life, then your prayers will honor the Lord and be answered favorably. He is a good good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). But we must be persistent, determining in our minds and hearts that He truly is the only one who holds all things and can satisfy all our needs.
How is your prayer life today? Are you demonstrating your total dependence and reliance upon him? Does your posture say, “Lord you are all that I need and only you can provide,” or does it communicate a lack of faith?
Be persistent in your prayers and trust that God is already on the move (Rom 8:28).
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, you know what we need each and every day. We trust and believe that you will provide for us. You have poured out your blessings upon our life already. Help us to trust and know you are still at work today. May we constantly be reminded of your faithfulness and persistently bring our needs before you. Remind us of our position in you as your children and help us to trust you with all things.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Galatians 3:13- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”