Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:37:24 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Feb. 14); BP: Mt. 7:7-11; RBTTY: Mt. 27:1-26; Lev.
DEAR FELLOW PILGRIM:
There's still time to help with the water purification/filtration system for the suffering saints in Kisii, Kenya if you'd like to contribute. Their pastor, Bro. Moses, continues to update me on their situation as best he can and the conditions there are still deteriorating because of the violence. However, he said they still feel our prayers and appreciates any help we can give. If you'd like to give, please make your tax-deductible checks out to "Back to Bethel Ministries," P.O. Box 582, Coushatta, LA 71019. Thanks to those of you who've already contributed. God bless you!
In Jesus' Sustaining Love,
Bro. Tom
February 14 “Proactive Prayers”
“Ask—and it shall be given you; seek—and you shall find; knock—and it shall be opened unto you . . .for everyone that asks receives and he that seeks, finds. . .and to him that knocks it shall be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
There are times we must wait quietly—and there are times we must ask boldly.
The “strait and narrow road” (Mt. 7:14) is really the median point between two extremes. Jesus’ words in today’s Manna encourage those who are “feeble in faith” to “come boldly unto the Throne of grace so we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). However, it was never intended to be some “faith-formula” or the basis for a “Name it, claim it” type of praying.
No, His admonition for us to “ask, seek and knock” was really an invitation to exercise the privileges afforded to us as “a child of God the Father and a joint-heir with Christ, His Son” (Rom. 8:17). And, this type of proactive praying can only occur when we’re “walking the Spirit, not the flesh” (Rom. 8:1). Only then can we rest assured that the Holy Spirit is aiding us while we pray (Rom. 8:26-27); otherwise, we’ll constantly be “asking amiss (Grk. ‘kakos’—‘badly, miserably, in error, grievously, etc.’) in order to satisfy our own lusts” (James 4:3).
It’s important for us to “ask”—i.e., verbalize our requests—for how else shall we know if/when the Father specifically answers them? Likewise, “seeking” in prayer shows singular purpose in our petition, while “knocking” reveals persistence.
Does this mean the Heavenly Father is hard-of-hearing or playing hard-to-get?
A thousand times no! However, our “asking, seeking and knocking” reveals how serious we are in praying. And, our continuing to do so touches God’s heart and lets Him know we’ll not stop until our requests are granted (cf. Lk. 18:1-7).
The Lord Jesus then reminded them/us that the Father is the “Giver of every good and perfect gift” (James 1:7). He asked, “Or what man of you, if his son asks for a piece of bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?” (Mt. 7:9-10). He then said, “If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father, which is in Heaven, give good things to them that ask Him” (v.11).
Oh, dear Pilgrim, could it be that we hesitate “asking, seeking and knocking” for fear that the answer will be “No”? Could it be that disappointment in God’s service has replaced delight and resentment has quenched rejoicing?
Effectual prayer is “praying according to God’s will” (I Jn. 5:14-15) and can only occur as we “humble ourselves, seek His Face and turn from our wicked ways” (II Chron. 7:14). And, even then it must be accompanied with “rejoicing and thanksgiving” (Phil. 4:4-7) WHEN we make our requests, not only after we get what we’re asking for. May the Holy Spirit help us today to know what the Father wants to give us when we pray (Rom. 8:26-27).
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