Effective Prayer

In our ongoing exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, we delved into Matthew 7, focusing on the profound importance of nurturing a close relationship with God through persistent prayer.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)

Key Points:

1. Continuous Prayer:

- Ask, Seek, Knock: These actions symbolise a continuous process of engaging with God. This persistent approach in prayer deepens our relationship with Him.

- Effective Prayer: Introduced in Matthew 6 and continuing in Matthew 7, effective prayer aligns our desires with God’s will as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT).

2. Prayer as a Gift:

- Transformation: Prayer changes situations, people, and importantly, the one praying. It draws us into intimacy with God, granting us access to His presence.

3. Persistence in Prayer:

- Ask - Be Persistent: Regularly bring our needs before God, aligning our desires with His plans.

- Seek - Pursue God’s Presence: Actively desire and pursue God, demonstrating faith, focus, and follow-through.

- Knock - Relentless Pursuit: Continuously press into God’s presence, understanding He is always willing to open doors for us.

4. Purpose of Prayer:

- Love for God: Prayer stems from our love for God and our desire to be in His presence.

- Dependence on God: Recognising God as the source of our lives.

- Resistance to Temptation: Through prayer, we gain strength to resist temptation (Matthew 26:41 NLT).

- Obedience to God’s Command: Devotion to prayer as instructed in Colossians 4:2 and Luke 18:1 NLT.

- Example of Jesus: Jesus’ life exemplified perfect communion with the Father, showing the significance of prayer.

- God’s Response: Confidence that God hears and answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7 NLT).

- Joyful Fulfilment: Prayer fills us with abundant joy (John 16:24 NLT).

5. Role of the Holy Spirit:

- The Holy Spirit aids us in prayer, comforting, strengthening, and interceding on our behalf when we lack words.

Practical Application:

- Record and Reflect: Keep a journal of prayers and answers, fostering encouragement and motivation to continue asking, seeking, and knocking.

- Advance God’s Kingdom: Persist in prayer to see God’s Kingdom manifest in our lives, families, church, and communities.

In conclusion, let us commit to asking, seeking, and knocking continuously, allowing God’s Kingdom to advance in every aspect of our lives.