Ask, Seek, Knock” — A Story on Prayer

The old wooden church in Ashe County sat quietly at the edge of the valley where the fog set  low in the mornings and the wind whispered through the pines. Inside, on a worn bench near the front, sat a man named David. His head was bowed, his hands clasped tightly, but his heart was restless. He had prayed before, many times. Yet lately, it felt as though his words rose no higher than the rafters. After a moment, God spoke softly: “Son, have you forgotten what the Lord said? ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’ (Matthew 7:7, KJV)’. David said “I’ve asked… but nothing seems to happen.” Perhaps it’s time to understand what it means to truly ask.” The lesson begins; “Listen carefully,‘For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened’ (Matthew 7:8, KJV). That is a promise. God’s promises are not empty words. They come with meaning.

Essential steps for Answered Prayer: First, you must come with faith." But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord’ (James 1:6–7, KJV). Prayer without faith is like knocking without expecting the door to open. Second, your heart must be right with God. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18, KJV). There are times when we have bitterness, pride and unconfessed sin. “Third, you must pray according to God’s will.  ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us’ (1 John 5:14, KJV). Prayer is not about bending God to our will but about aligning ourself with His. 

Basic Convictions Concerning Answered Prayer -But how can I be sure God hears me? Because God is faithful. ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not’ (Jeremiah 33:3, KJV). “You must believe three things” 1) God lcry’ (Psalm 34:15, KJV). 3) God answers prayer! Not always how we expect—but always perfect. God answers in His time, sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly and not always with a yes.. “Even silence, “is not absence .from an answer it is often preparation for your heart.

Mistakes Made in Prayer - Then why do so many prayers seem to go unanswered?  There are common mistakes.

1. Asking with wrong motives -‘Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts’ (James 4:3, KJV) Prayer is not for selfish gain.

2. Doubt and unbelief Faith cannot coexist with doubt. Unanswered prayer and mistakes made in prayer may because of unbelief....

The church was still. The wind outside had quietened down, but something had changed, not in heaven, but in David. 

The Answer - Weeks pass. Some prayers are answered quickly. Others take time. Some are answered in ways David never expected, but now I understand: Prayer is not a transaction. It is a relationship. and the promise remains alive in my heart: “Ask, Seek, Knock. 

                                                                       Your Servant, David

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