“Ask, Seek, Knock”
“So I say
to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (v.9-10)
Have you
ever noticed how some people have a hard time waiting their turn? This can
be seen in different actions every day. For example, the tapper, the shifter,
the poser, and of course the questioner, "Can't you go any faster."
In the instant breakfast society we live in today, everyone wants an express
lane. We want - what we want - when we want it. This can easily transfer into
our prayer life as well.
God is
not some "genie in a bottle" ready to grant us three wishes when we
call on Him. Nor is He only to be called upon in time of need. What kind of
relationship would you have with someone, if you only called when you needed
something? The Bible tells us in James, "the effective fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) Let's look at these words a
little closer.
Webster
defines effective as fruitful or capable or producing a desired result. This
means we must have an established prayer life, marked by fruit. The word
fervent can be translated intense, passionate, very hot - glowing.
Consequently, our prayer life should have emotion in it and not just some
mundane, half-hearted request. Finally, it is the prayer of the righteous that
reaches God. We as Christians have righteousness imputed to us through our
belief in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore we can,
make our request known to God.
It is so
important to establish a fervent prayer life with our heavenly father who,
"desires to give us above all that we could ask or think."(Eph.3:20)
Therefore, keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking and you will see the fruit
of your petitions.
The Truth
Elijah
was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain;
and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed
again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James
5:17-18)
