08/22/2025
This past Sunday, Pastor James preached on the privilege and command of prayer from Matthew 7:7–11. Prayer is one of the greatest privileges God has given His children. It is not merely speaking into the air, but conversing with the living God who is full of love, wisdom, and holiness. Through prayer, believers are invited into fellowship with their heavenly Father, who hears and answers according to His perfect will. Yet too often, prayer is neglected or treated as optional, even though Christ commands us to “ask, seek, and knock.” These are not gentle invitations but clear instructions, reminding us that prayer is both a duty and a joy.
The words “ask, seek, knock” show both the action and the persistence of prayer. To ask acknowledges our dependence and reliance on God. To seek is to earnestly desire His presence and His will above all things. To knock is to persevere until the door is opened. The Lord does not invite us into a transaction but into a relationship, shaping our wills to align with His. The purpose of prayer is not to bend God’s will to ours, but to mold our hearts to His sovereign and good plan.
We are assured that God, as our heavenly Father, gives what is truly good for His children. Just as earthly parents, though sinful, provide for their children, how much more will God provide what is best for us? Prayer is not a promise of prosperity or worldly riches, but a promise that our Father knows our needs better than we do. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, we trust that God is acting in wisdom and love. Our confidence rests not in our asking, but in His character.
The ultimate proof of God’s goodness is the gift of His Son. He prayed, He obeyed, and He went to the cross for our salvation. Because He was not spared, we now have the privilege of approaching God as Father, assured that He hears us for Christ’s sake. Through Him, we can ask, seek, and knock with boldness, knowing that every answer we receive comes from His perfect wisdom and steadfast love. Let us pray with confidence, seek with persistence, and knock with hope, trusting that our Father is pleased to hear His children.