Wednesday, May 2, 2012

PRAYER (A.S.K.)


SHEPHERD TO SHEEP
PRAYER (A.S.K.)
(Mat 7:7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
What is prayer? Some refer to it as meditation or getting in touch with your spiritual side. Others believe it is repeating some prescribed or memorized address. Still others define praying as wishing good thoughts on behalf of others. But when it comes to the Bible you just can’t miss what prayer is really all about. For now, let’s just simplify it by saying prayer is talking to God.
When you talk to someone that means you have a relationship with that person whether casual or intimate. Through Christ we know we can go directly to the Father because we are God’s children by being born again. So the first prayer we want to sincerely pray is that we might take Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. After that we will have unbroken access to God through prayer! (Rom 8:15)…you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Then we will see God as not only Almighty God but also as our loving heavenly Father who invites us to come into His presence. (Mat 6:9) In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Now we are ready to talk to our heavenly Father about all that is on our heart. Just think of all that goes on in our hearts and minds in just one particular day. So many issues, decisions, as well as doubts and fears. With all this accumulation of life’s concerns it is essential that we talk to our Father so we may place all these burdens on His capable shoulders. If not we will walk around weighed down with life’s cares, robbing us of the peace that can be ours through Christ.
Talking. It’s one of the most natural things you can do. And God loves to hear us talk when sometimes others are not available or get tired of listening. And all we have to do is A.S.K. That stands for Ask-Seek-Knock. Ask God for the needs in your life. Seek Him and don’t give up. Knock and watch the doors open for you. He loves to respond to our prayers! He desires to take care of us and meet all our needs. (Mat 7:9-11) Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 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 good things to those who ask Him!
Some say that we should do all we can for ourselves and then when we run out of options that is the time to pray. But the Bible says to seek God from the very beginning of the problem that faces us: (Mat 6:33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. So keep on asking, seeking and knocking because the promise is that you will receive, that you will find, and that the door will be opened to you! A.S.K.!!
Louie

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