Part Two Matthew 7:7-11

Last week we declared that Jesus is our One!

We reminded ourselves that we can’t give away what we don’t posses.

It’s hard to share Jesus with others if you’re not walking with Him yourself.

Today we encounter the power of prayer and ask the question: Who are you praying for, to know Jesus?

Who’s your one?

Prayer is powerful and we should pray everyday for people to know Jesus.

Matthew 7: 7-11

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Prayer has a lot to do with asking, seeking and knocking.

G154 αἰτέω / ahee-teh'-o To ask (in generally): - beg, call for, crave, desire, require.

The picture of asking is almost like one who needs directions, so they ask with a listening ear.

G2212 ζητέω / dzay-teh'-o To seek (literally or figuratively); specifically (by Hebraism) to worship (God): - desire, enquire, seek (after, for).

To seek moves things to a new level of worship.

Seek like you’re looking for something of great value.

Keep looking for how the Lord will provide.

G2925 κρούω / kroo'-o Apparently a primary verb; to rap: - knock.

Knocking has to do with persistence and confidence.

You know that God has the answer and you will ask, seek and knock until He reveals His will.

This reminds us of the story of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge.

Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart,

Luke 18:2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.

Luke 18:3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’

Luke 18:4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,

Luke 18:5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”

Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;

Luke 18:7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

Luke 18:8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

We see this theme continue that if an evil person can give good gifts, how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts.

Our Lord gives amazing gifts like salvation, joy, healing, provision, love, protection, peace, faith, guidance, forgiveness, the power of the Holy Spirit and more.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Wow!

We see some wonderful examples in Scripture concerning the power of prayer.

James summarizes what took place with Elijah in I Kings 17.

James 5:16b The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

James 5:17 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 earth for three years and six months.

James 5:18 Then he prayed again and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Or how about the church praying for Peter when he was in jail facing certain death?

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

Acts 12:6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards

Acts 12:6 in front of the door were watching over the prison.

Acts 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up,

Acts 12:7 saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.

If you remember the rest of the story, the gates open and the angel leads him out.

He even finds his way to where the church was praying for him at that very moment and they were amazed.

So!

Who are you asking the Lord for?

Who are you seeking the Lord for?

Who are you knocking on the Lord’s door for?

How about coming together in prayer right now?

Amen?