Prayer 101

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

Christ gave some wise instructions regarding prayer in this text from the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s observe what He has to say and how it can impact our prayer lives. 

Pray Humbly. 

Ask. Asking is to humbly recognize the superiority of the One to whom we are praying. When we realize who God is, and who we are, we should be in awe of the privilege we have to go before Him. Rejoice in the gift of prayer, and begin your prayer time with a humble spirit, remembering that you are praying to the One who created you. 

Pray Earnestly. 

Seek. The Word translated “seek” means to look for something earnestly. It is diligent, not casual. More than just reciting prayers, it is earnest praying. 

The effectual fervent prayer..availeth much. James 5:16

If your prayer lacks enthusiasm, it will not accomplish much. 

Pray Believingly. 

Knock. If you have to knock, the door is closed. Knocking shows faith that someone will hear and open the door. True praying must involve faith. 

A story is told that one day Alexander the Great was asked a huge request. He immediately granted it. His associates were surprised and asked him why. Alexander said the fact that the man asked said he believed Alexander could fulfill the request and that greatly honored him, so he immediately granted it. Likewise faith pleases and honors God. 

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

Pray Reverently.

Knock. There are two words in the Greek for “knock”. One refers to an unceremonious pounding, the other to a polite knock. The word in this verse does not convey rudeness, kicking the door in, but a courteous knock. We are praying to God, not to man. While we are to come boldly in prayer we are not to come belligerently. We do not demand or insist but request reverently. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Pray Persistently

Ask...seek...knock. These three words are all in the present tense. This means we must keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. God wants us to pray continually, not sporadically. 

Too often we give up quickly in praying. We pray once or twice for something then quit. Our lack of persistence in praying often exposes our lack of sincerity in praying. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

God wants to hear from you! Follow Jesus’ instructions for prayer in Matthew 7. 

Pray humbly, earnestly, believingly, and reverently. Most importantly, pray persistently! 

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18