“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. James gives us great insight on this when he says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Here is where we must be able to differentiate a need from a desire. God is not a genie or a magic lamp that we can run to when we want something. Are Christ’s words found in Matthew 7:7 an open-ended invitation to pray for whatever it is that we need?Īs we pray, we should not expect the Lord to humbly submit to our every whim and desire. Also, in Christ’s entire discourse on prayer here, there is another question that inevitably arises. Should we expect the Lord to give us something other than what we have asked for? And while each case varies, the answer is no. “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 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!” ( Matthew 7:9-11). Can We Pray for Anything?Īs Christ continues speaking about prayer, we can see God’s desire to give us those things that we need. But no matter what it looks like, in prayer, we are to stay the course. Now there was a widow in that city and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me’” ( Luke 18:1-5).īecause prayer brings us into the supernatural, we are to expect that Satan and his forces will do all they can within their limited sphere of power to force doubt, deception and discouragement into our lives as we pray. “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Christ even related a parable with this very same truth in mind. As we engage in prayer, concerning any matter, we are not to give up. Next, I believe these words are a call to perseverance. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” ( Hebrews 4:16). The Lord desires us to enter into His presence, bringing with us any weight or burden that we may be carrying. We should not be shy, lax or apprehensive concerning the bringing of our needs to the Lord. Just what do these specific words mean? In their immediate context, I believe first of all that these words are a call to boldness. “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find knock, and it will be opened to you” ( Matthew 7:7). In Christ’s next reference to prayer, He begins a brand new discussion on the power and practicality of prayer. This prayer, traditionally known as The Lord’s Prayer, was a model it was not meant to be simply memorized and recited in liturgical or “religious” occasions. Immediately following these words, Christ instructs us concerning the manner of our prayers. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” ( Matthew 6:5-8). And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.
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