Disclaimer: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and check out the scripture references. It also helps to read them in different versions or the original Greek to get the full meaning of the scripture.
What if we truly believed God would give us what we prayed for? How would that change the way we pray and what we ask of God? Today’s topic is one of reminder to myself. Hopefully, it will encourage you as well.
I have scriptures posted all over my house in random places. Some are placed on the backs of doors. Others are on the refrigerators and walls. And if you could see my mirror, you’d wonder how I apply makeup in the morning. As I was getting dressed to go to the gym, I looked up at one such postcard on the back of my bathroom door. It was as if my attention was being draw to that particular verse. I quickly read through it due to its familiarity to me. A soft voice asked, “What is that verse really saying?” I paused for a moment and thought to myself. Unsure of the answer, I determined to study out the verses during my devotion.
First, let’s dissect verse 7. In the Greek, words that end in -ing indicate a continual action happening in present tense. Often, I’ve read this scripture in the past tense. If you ask (single action), then you will receive what you asked for (past action). This suggests a once and done philosophy, however, this is incorrect. We should have a continual posture of prayer. On the other hand, we are not simply trying to get things from God. Petition is only part of what our prayer life should look like. As Jeremiah 29:13 states, we are seeking God in a relational way. This requires constant movement towards Him.
Verse 8 further expounds on this idea of continual prayer. In the Greek, the word receives is lambanei. It means I receive, get or I take, lay hold of. Now let’s look back in verse 7 at the word ask. Strong’s concordance lists it as aiteó. It means to ask, to request for oneself, constant word for seeking of the inferior from the superior, with the expectation that they want to distribute. When we couple these two meanings, it teaches us how we aught to pray. We should pray with authority and anticipation. We should expect God to answer when we pray according to His will. As we continually pray, we are taking hold of our desired request.
This passage ends with God giving us a practical analogy. For parents, there is nothing that you wouldn’t do for your children. We pour out love without hesitation. God’s love for us is even greater. Psalms 84:11 says no good thing He will withhold from you. He gets joy in giving His children the desires of their hearts. So, ask in faith, knowing that He wants to answer your prayers.
So, I challenge you to pray with authority. Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you want from Him. He knows the desires of your heart anyway. He promises to respond when we pray.
Scripture References: Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT) ““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
Cross References: Psalms 84:11, Romans 8:32, James 1:17, Psalms 34:4, Psalms 37:4, Isaiah 30:19, Jeremiah 29:13, and John 14:13
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