MATTHEW 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened .”

GOOD MORNING. We thank God… Please repeat after me: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God – with all thy heart – with all thy soul – with all thy strength – with all thy mind. We are thankful for the men who have gone before us this morning…

VISITORS: you are our welcomed and honored guest. We are thankful for this congregation… VISITORS: you are our welcomed and honored guest.

THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER Our text in Matthew 7:7-8 tells the followers of Jesus that we must ask (pray), before we receive; seek (pray), before we find; and knock (pray), before the door will be opened (cf. Luke 11:9-10).

THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER Jesus asked, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves…and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (Luke 11:5-8).

WHY IS PRAYER NECESSARY? By praying we tap into the power and willingness of God to act. This understanding strikes at the heart of our self-sufficiency (Ephesians 6:10-18). Affluent, successful man is repelled by this understanding of prayer (Ephesians 3:14-15).

PRAYER RESEMBLES FAITH Prayer also expresses our belief that God is willing and able to act if we ask, seek and knock. A faith that acts through prayer brings results.

PRAYER RESEMBLES FAITH “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:50). “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” After they expressed their belief in Him, He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” And their sight was restored (Matthew 9:27-30).

PRAYER RESEMBLES FAITH “He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:53-58). “If ye have faith, and doubt not… all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:21-22).

PRAYER RESEMBLES FAITH “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Prayer is grounded in a specific outlook toward the nature of reality.

PRAYER RESEMBLES FAITH In the enactment of His “Eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ecclesiastes 3:17). God says, “Surely, as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand” (Isaiah 14:24).

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION Christian (human) action effects God’s purposes. God raised up Pharaoh (Romans 9:17; Daniel 9:21-23). By active prayer, God brings about the growth of His kingdom, the body or church of Christ (John 3:3-5, 7; Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13).

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION He commanded the onlookers to “take ye away the stone” that had been put upon of the entrance to the cave grave (John 11:39). When Lazarus came forth, “bound hand and foot with graveclothes… Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44).

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION As we pray, we become agents of the answer. The worshipper must pray. "Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?" (1 Corinthians 14:16).

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION First, he must listen to the prayer. Second, he must understand the prayer. Third, he must agree with the prayer (Matthew 6:6, 9). Fourth, he should say "Amen“ (so let it be). Again, why is prayer necessary?

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION It makes a difference in the universe. It makes a difference in my life. It makes a difference in the lives of others. It enables things to happen that otherwise would not happen. It makes all the difference in the world.

THE ROLE OF HUMAN ACTION We are asking you to please help us daily and without ceasing in prayer (1 Thess. 5:17).