“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Luke 11:9-11
Jesus tells us how to pray. “Ask . . . seek . . . knock . . . ” each with their corresponding results. The interesting part of this instruction is that all of these words have a strong Greek grammar context that must be explained to be more effective. It’s called the Present Imperative Mood. The what? Well, for you neophytes out there, this language in the Greek puts no limitation on our prayers. Present means a continuing action (keep on asking . . . keep on seeking . . . keep on knocking . . .). In other words, “Don’t stop!”
The Imperative part means that it’s an order from the commander. It’s a command! And you know who the Commander is. It’s God’s will that we pray and when we pray—we keep on praying until we receive an answer.
Jesus wants us to learn to pray the way He did. That’s what attracted the disciples to ask Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1-4). Choose a place to pray like He did, away from the crowd and do it on a regular basis—like He did. Have many intimate conversations with our heavenly Father. He loves to hear your voice in whatever language you speak.
Prayer is not complicated. For example, it took you less than thirty seconds to read Jesus’ forty-six words of instruction from Luke 11 above. There are only thirty-eight words in the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus offered just enough commentary afterward to get the disciple’s interpretive juices flowing. You don’t need to read another book on prayer and you don’t need another seminar to attend to fill up a notebook. You don’t need your Pastor to teach you—you just need to begin to pray. If you still don’t know how to effectively, join or attend a prayer group and pray with people who know how to pray—and you’ll learn from them. Find a prayer partner. Husbands and wives make a great team. I know!
Prayer does not begin in acquiescence (passive consent). Prayer doesn’t begin with accepting the status quo. Prayer is action. Prayer does not give in to the things that are. The goal of prayer is to see God change things—asking in the name of the only One who can bring about that change; the One who loves to respond to those who ask . . . seek . . . and knock on the door of heaven.
So what are you waiting for dear saints and children of God? Yes, our culture is in disarray and on a highly destructive course that will affect us all. But our help is not in governments, politicians, talking heads, or even in churches. Our help is in Jesus. So look up. Let His name be always on your lips. Your heavenly Father is expecting to hear from you in that Name. Isn’t that exciting? — Maranatha!
“I love the LORD because He hears my voice, and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me. Therefore, I will call upon Him as long as I live.” — Psalm 116:1-2
“God is good all the time. All the time God is good!”
