Aligning Prayer with God's Kingdom Purpose
Summary
In Matthew 7:7-14, Jesus provides profound insights into the nature of prayer and the kingdom of heaven. He encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that those who do so will receive, find, and have doors opened to them. This passage is not merely about receiving what we desire but about aligning our requests with the will of God and the context of His kingdom. Jesus uses the analogy of a parent giving good gifts to their children to illustrate God's willingness to provide for us. If flawed human parents can give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father give to those who ask Him?
The essence of this teaching is about living as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus emphasizes that our prayers should be in alignment with the kingdom's values and purposes. This means that when we ask, seek, and knock, it should be with the understanding that we are seeking God's will and His kingdom's advancement. Our requests should not be driven by selfish desires but by a genuine desire to see God's will fulfilled in our lives and the world around us.
Jesus also addresses the common human tendency to be reactionary, urging us to respond to life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. This wisdom comes from continually asking, seeking, and knocking, not just once but as a persistent practice. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open ourselves to His guidance and provision.
Furthermore, Jesus highlights the importance of understanding the context of our prayers. When we pray, we must recognize that God's answers are always in the best interest of His kingdom. This perspective helps us trust in His timing and methods, even when they differ from our expectations. Ultimately, Jesus calls us to a deeper relationship with God, where our prayers are a reflection of our commitment to His kingdom and our trust in His goodness.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistent Prayer and Kingdom Alignment: Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock persistently, emphasizing that our prayers should align with the kingdom's values. This alignment ensures that our requests are not self-centered but focused on God's will and purposes. [03:51]
- Understanding God's Will: Our prayers should be made with the understanding that God's will is paramount. While we may not always understand His plans, trusting in His wisdom and timing is crucial. This trust transforms our prayer life, making it more about seeking His will than our desires. [12:48]
- God's Generosity and Goodness: Jesus uses the analogy of a parent giving good gifts to illustrate God's generosity. If human parents, despite their flaws, can give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father provide for us? This assurance encourages us to approach God with confidence and trust. [22:12]
- The Role of Wisdom in Prayer: Jesus emphasizes the need for wisdom in our interactions and prayers. By continually asking, seeking, and knocking, we open ourselves to God's guidance, enabling us to respond wisely to life's challenges and align our actions with His kingdom. [05:20]
- The Context of Kingdom Citizenship: As citizens of the kingdom, our prayers should reflect our commitment to God's purposes. This perspective helps us understand that God's answers are always in the best interest of His kingdom, even when they differ from our expectations. [16:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Introduction to Matthew 7:7-14
[02:28] - Context of Kingdom Citizenship
[03:51] - The Call to Ask, Seek, Knock
[05:20] - Responding to Needs with Wisdom
[07:07] - Understanding God's Promises
[08:16] - The Gospel of the Kingdom
[10:04] - Asking with Right Intentions
[11:12] - The Context of Our Requests
[12:48] - God's Will in Our Prayers
[14:07] - Jesus' Example in Gethsemane
[15:16] - Impact of Our Prayers on Others
[16:33] - Praying with Kingdom Focus
[17:58] - Overcoming Reluctance to Ask
[19:54] - God's Care for His Kingdom Citizens
[21:05] - Earthly Fathers vs. Heavenly Father
[22:12] - God's Generosity and Goodness
[23:40] - Conclusion and Encouragement to Ask
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:7-14
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus promise will happen when we ask, seek, and knock according to Matthew 7:7-8? How does this relate to the concept of being a kingdom citizen? [07:07]
2. How does Jesus use the analogy of a parent giving gifts to their children to illustrate God's generosity? [19:54]
3. In the sermon, what is emphasized as the context in which we should ask, seek, and knock? [08:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between reactionary responses and responses aligned with God's wisdom? [05:20]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the context of the kingdom influence the way believers should approach prayer? [08:16]
2. What might be the reasons for unanswered prayers according to the sermon, and how does this relate to God's will? [12:48]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of aligning our prayers with the kingdom's values and purposes? [16:33]
4. What role does wisdom play in our prayer life and interactions with others, as discussed in the sermon? [05:20]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you asked God for something that was not granted. How can understanding the context of the kingdom help you view that situation differently? [07:07]
2. How can you ensure that your prayers are aligned with God's will and the advancement of His kingdom rather than personal desires? [12:48]
3. In what ways can you practice persistent prayer in your daily life, and how might this change your relationship with God? [03:51]
4. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply wisdom and discernment in your response, as encouraged in the sermon? [05:20]
5. How can you overcome any reluctance to ask God for help, and what steps can you take to approach Him with confidence and trust? [17:58]
6. Identify an area in your life where you need to seek God's guidance. What practical steps can you take to ask, seek, and knock persistently in this area? [19:54]
7. How can you demonstrate your commitment to God's kingdom in your prayers and actions this week? [16:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Persistent Prayer and Kingdom Alignment
In Matthew 7:7-14, Jesus emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer that aligns with the values of the kingdom of heaven. This teaching encourages believers to ask, seek, and knock with the understanding that their requests should not be self-centered but focused on God's will and purposes. The act of persistent prayer is not about receiving everything we desire but about aligning our hearts with God's kingdom. By doing so, we open ourselves to His guidance and provision, ensuring that our prayers are a reflection of our commitment to His kingdom. This alignment transforms our prayer life, making it more about seeking His will than our desires. [03:51]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice persistent prayer, seeking alignment with God's kingdom values rather than personal desires?
Day 2: Understanding God's Will
Understanding God's will is paramount in our prayer life. Jesus teaches that while we may not always comprehend His plans, trusting in His wisdom and timing is crucial. This trust transforms our prayers, making them more about seeking His will than our desires. When we pray with the understanding that God's will is above all, we learn to trust in His timing and methods, even when they differ from our expectations. This perspective helps us to remain patient and faithful, knowing that God's answers are always in the best interest of His kingdom. [12:48]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you struggle to understand God's will. How can you practice trusting His wisdom and timing in this area today?
Day 3: God's Generosity and Goodness
Jesus uses the analogy of a parent giving good gifts to illustrate God's generosity and goodness. If human parents, despite their flaws, can give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father provide for us? This assurance encourages believers to approach God with confidence and trust, knowing that He is willing to provide for His children. Understanding God's generosity helps us to approach Him with a heart full of gratitude and trust, knowing that He desires to give us what is best for us. This perspective transforms our relationship with God, making it one of trust and reliance on His goodness. [22:12]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent blessing in your life. How does recognizing it as a gift from God change your perspective on His generosity and goodness?
Day 4: The Role of Wisdom in Prayer
Jesus emphasizes the need for wisdom in our interactions and prayers. By continually asking, seeking, and knocking, we open ourselves to God's guidance, enabling us to respond wisely to life's challenges. This wisdom is not just about making the right decisions but about aligning our actions with His kingdom. As we seek God's wisdom, we learn to respond to life's challenges with discernment and grace, ensuring that our actions reflect His kingdom's values. This pursuit of wisdom transforms our prayer life, making it a journey of growth and alignment with God's purposes. [05:20]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom today? How can you actively seek His guidance in this area?
Day 5: The Context of Kingdom Citizenship
As citizens of the kingdom, our prayers should reflect our commitment to God's purposes. This perspective helps us understand that God's answers are always in the best interest of His kingdom, even when they differ from our expectations. Living as kingdom citizens means that our prayers and actions are aligned with God's will and purposes. This alignment ensures that our lives are a reflection of His kingdom, making our prayers a powerful tool for His kingdom's advancement. By understanding the context of our prayers, we learn to trust in God's answers, knowing that they are always for the greater good of His kingdom. [16:33]
Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your prayers and actions today reflect your commitment to God's kingdom purposes? What specific step can you take to align more closely with His will?
Quotes
"Jesus is beginning to wrap up the Sermon on the Mount. But we have to remember that as he continues giving these instructions, he is... continuing to build on the concept of being a citizen of the kingdom. And so as he talks about asking, as he talks about doing to others, as he talks about entering by the narrow gate. He's addressing all of this in the context of the kingdom of heaven. He's talking about this in the context of us being citizens of the kingdom and how we live as citizens of the kingdom." [00:02:00] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Arthur Robertson wrote and he said, how can a disciple gain the sensitivity and discretion necessary to make proper judgments without being judged? To be judgmental, to be critical without being hypercritical, and to be patient without being too patient? The Lord's answer is ask, seek, knock. The present tense is used with each of the verbs and can be translated to continue to ask, continue to seek, and continue to knock. How do we live out the things that he has already called us to live out?" [00:03:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Seek God in all your needs, whether it's asking for wisdom, asking for things that we need in life, whether it's our need of wisdom in our interaction with other people. We could probably say most importantly in responding to him in our need for salvation. Seek God in all your needs." [00:05:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Remember, we've got to put things in context. Context. He's talking to those who are his followers. He's talking to those as we look at us today, those who are believers in Jesus Christ and he died on the cross for our sins, that we've received him, we've had faith in him, we've believed him to save us from our sin, to make us citizens of his kingdom, to transfer us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. He's adopted us. He's made us his children. So when he says to everyone, that's who he's addressing." [00:06:35] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so we have to keep it in that context. As Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount, and He's talking about these citizens of the kingdom, and how they should live, we have to understand that when He says, ask and it will be given, seek and you'll find, knock and it will be opened, He's talking about the context of kingdom citizens asking in the context of the kingdom." [00:08:23] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus, when he's in the Garden of Gethsemane, that's what he does. Remember, he's called the disciples, they're praying with him, they're falling asleep, and what does Jesus do? He says, Lord, if there's any way that this cup can pass from me, he's getting ready to be crucified, the crucifixion, the process of the trial is about to begin. He says, Lord, if there's any way that this cup can pass from me, let's do that! Right? He knew what was coming. Let's do that! But nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." [00:14:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so we ask, in accordance with the context of the kingdom, recognizing that God will answer. We will receive. But we will receive in the context of what is the betterment and the best of the kingdom. And if we're kingdom citizens, we are okay with that. Because we recognize that as being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, it's about what the king says is supposed to happen, not what me as a citizen says is supposed to happen." [00:16:00] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"There are all kinds of reasons that we'll give as to why we don't ask, seek, and knock. But he says to do it. And to do it in the context of being a citizen of his kingdom. Because God, the creator of that. That kingdom, the author of that kingdom, he cares about those who are his. He cares about the people that are part of his kingdom. He cares about those for whom Christ died." [00:19:25] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"So he tells us, ask. If you give what's needed. how much more will I give what's needed just ask recognize who you are as a citizen of the kingdom recognize who I am God is saying as the father as the king and ask accordingly and you'll receive I'll give the door will open." [00:23:47] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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