Pray!

Pray!

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:8 KJV

Again, it is important to sort out the audience to which these words are addressed, so you do not demand a reaction from the wrong crowd. Today's extract is taken from the sermon on the mount, and it is instructive to note that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, who he had taken up the mountain, while the crowd stood at the foot of the mountain. Yes, the crowd could hear him speak, but the words were for his disciples. The same principle still applies today; men come to hear the Word, but they do not desire obedience. It has become the routine and the usual, and that is the danger. 

As many that will dare to reach out and touch God, there is a deep wealth of riches and grace available to them. Today's extract makes a demand on such people. Apart from the requirement of being a disciple, I do not see any other requirement placed on those who seek to access the benefits laid out here. I don't have to look a certain way, or come from a certain place or speak a certain way before I can access the benefits; all I need is faith in the One who made the promise. 

For the desired end, there is a required action. If I want to be given something, I must know what exactly it is and I must ask for it exactly. If I seek something specific, I must know what it is precisely, and be able to articulate to God what it is exactly that I seek. If I want a door to be opened to me, I must know clearly what door it is and where it leads to, and then knock on the door. For every destination, there is an expected journey and course. If I do not take the journey or go on the course, how do I expect to arrive at the defined destination? God is not a magician; there is grace, forgiveness and mercy, but you cannot use them as excuses not to do what has clearly marked out as his expectations from me. 

The nature of my need defines the nature of my action. God knows all things, yet he tells me to ask, seek and knock. He knows what is best for me, yet he wants to work on my heart so that my requests line up with his perfect will at all times. This is where prayer is such a fundamental part of the Christian journey. There is no one who can access God's riches without the effort of prayer. Even Jesus spent time at night praying to his Father, laying down that perfect example for all who desire to follow him. 

Prayer is the key to unlocking all of the benefits that the death and life of Jesus have secured for us. In prayer, I submit to God's authority and accept his leadership over my life. I then take advantage of the abundant grace that prayer unlocks so I can get all that God promised. I have that assurance that he answers; that assurance has always been in place since the beginning of time. Men of old took God at his word and received amazing miracles, and till today, God is still very much in the business of answering prayers. If I don't ask, I don't get anything. If I don't seek, I don't find. If I don't knock, doors don't get opened. I can't turn around and blame God if I don't get anything, as long as I am the one who chooses to keep quiet. God is limitless, and my greatest blessings come from making a demand on those limitless resources. God's time of favour is here.