Embracing the Power of Asking in Prayer
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound invitation from Jesus to "Ask, Seek, and Knock," as found in Matthew 7:7-8. This passage is a call to engage actively with God through prayer, emphasizing the importance of asking as a means to unlock God's promises. The act of asking is not just about presenting our needs but is a demonstration of our faith and dependence on God. It aligns our hearts with His will and strengthens our relationship with Him.
Reflecting on my journey as a journalist, I shared how asking questions is fundamental to storytelling, much like how asking in prayer is essential to our spiritual journey. God invites us to bring our questions and concerns to Him, knowing that He already understands our needs. This act of asking draws us closer to Him, allowing us to experience His presence and guidance.
We delved into the significance of asking boldly and with the right motives. It's not about presenting a shopping list of desires but about seeking alignment with God's will. Our requests should reflect our faith, acknowledging that God knows what is best for us. We must trust His wisdom and timing, even when it doesn't align with our own expectations.
Moreover, asking in prayer is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus. It's about maintaining open communication with Him, much like the simple yet profound connection of two tin cans and a string. This relationship is nurtured through consistent and sincere prayer, where we express our dependence on Him and trust in His plans for our lives.
As we continue this series, let us embrace the power of asking with assurance, anticipation, and boldness. Let us not be afraid to present our needs to God, knowing that He is a loving Father who desires to bless us according to His perfect will.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Asking: Asking in prayer is a demonstration of faith and dependence on God. It aligns our hearts with His will and strengthens our relationship with Him. By asking, we acknowledge our need for His guidance and provision. [09:40]
2. Boldness in Prayer: We are encouraged to ask boldly, without hesitation, trusting that God knows what is best for us. Our requests should reflect our faith and be aligned with His desires, not just our own. [14:10]
3. Trusting God's Timing: God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't match our expectations. We must trust His wisdom and be patient, knowing that He will provide what we need at the right time. [16:15]
4. Deepening Our Relationship with Jesus: Asking in prayer fosters a deeper relationship with Jesus. It's about maintaining open communication and trusting in His plans for our lives, much like the simple connection of two tin cans and a string. [19:38]
5. The Assurance of God's Promises: When we ask according to God's will, we can be confident that He hears us and will provide. This assurance strengthens our faith and encourages us to continue seeking His guidance and provision. [22:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Celebrating January Birthdays
[09:40] - The Power of Asking
[14:10] - Boldness in Prayer
[16:15] - Trusting God's Timing
[17:54] - Assurance of God's Promises
[19:38] - Deepening Our Relationship with Jesus
[21:29] - Asking with Various Attitudes
[22:54] - The Key to Unlocking God's Promises
[24:33] - Embracing the Formula of Asking
[25:30] - Announcements and Devotional Information
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three actions Jesus invites us to take in Matthew 7:7-8, and what are the promised outcomes for each action?
2. How does the pastor compare the act of asking in prayer to his experience as a journalist? [09:40]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of asking with the right motives? [14:10]
4. How does the pastor describe the relationship between asking in prayer and our dependence on God? [16:15]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to ask boldly in the context of prayer, and how does this reflect our faith in God's wisdom and timing? [14:10]
2. How can asking in prayer help align our hearts with God's will, according to the sermon? [09:40]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that asking in prayer can deepen our relationship with Jesus? [19:38]
4. How does the assurance of God's promises influence the way we approach prayer, based on the sermon? [22:54]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you hesitated to ask God for something. What held you back, and how might you approach it differently now? [22:54]
2. Consider your current prayer life. How can you incorporate more boldness and faith into your requests to God? [14:10]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust God's timing. How can you practice patience and faith in this situation? [16:15]
4. Think about your motives when you pray. Are there any areas where you need to realign your desires with God's will? [14:10]
5. How can you maintain open communication with Jesus in your daily life, similar to the "tin cans and string" analogy? [19:38]
6. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus through prayer? [19:38]
7. How can you remind yourself of the assurance of God's promises when you face challenges or doubts in your prayer life? [22:54]
Devotional
Day 1: The Act of Asking as Faith in Action
Asking in prayer is more than just a request; it is an expression of faith and dependence on God. When we ask, we are acknowledging our need for His guidance and provision, aligning our hearts with His will. This act of asking is a demonstration of our trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them. It is through asking that we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's presence and guidance in our lives. By actively engaging in prayer, we strengthen our relationship with God, allowing Him to work in and through us. [09:40]
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to ask God for guidance or provision today? How can you express your faith through this request?
Day 2: Boldness in Prayer Reflects Trust in God's Wisdom
Boldness in prayer is about approaching God with confidence, trusting that He knows what is best for us. It is not about presenting a list of desires but seeking alignment with His will. Our requests should reflect our faith, acknowledging that God's wisdom surpasses our own understanding. By asking boldly, we demonstrate our trust in His perfect plan and timing, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. This boldness is rooted in the assurance that God is a loving Father who desires to bless us according to His will. [14:10]
"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, ESV)
Reflection: What is one bold prayer you have been hesitant to bring before God? How can you trust in His wisdom and timing as you present this request to Him today?
Day 3: Trusting God's Timing in Our Requests
Trusting God's timing is an essential aspect of prayer. While we may have our own expectations, God's timing is perfect, and His wisdom is beyond our understanding. When we ask in prayer, we must be patient, knowing that God will provide what we need at the right time. This trust in His timing requires us to surrender our desires and expectations, allowing Him to work in His way and in His time. By doing so, we demonstrate our faith in His ability to fulfill His promises and provide for our needs. [16:15]
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a prayer request you have been waiting on God to answer? How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 4: Deepening Our Relationship with Jesus Through Prayer
Prayer is a means of deepening our relationship with Jesus, maintaining open communication with Him. It is through consistent and sincere prayer that we express our dependence on Him and trust in His plans for our lives. This relationship is nurtured by the simple yet profound connection of speaking and listening to God, much like the connection of two tin cans and a string. By engaging in prayer, we draw closer to Jesus, experiencing His presence and guidance in our daily lives. [19:38]
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of open communication with Jesus? What specific steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him through prayer today?
Day 5: Assurance in God's Promises Through Prayer
When we ask according to God's will, we can be confident that He hears us and will provide. This assurance strengthens our faith and encourages us to continue seeking His guidance and provision. By aligning our requests with His will, we open ourselves to the fulfillment of His promises in our lives. This assurance is not just about receiving what we ask for but about trusting in God's perfect plan and His desire to bless us according to His will. [22:54]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today? How can you align your prayers with His will to experience the assurance of His promises in your life?
Quotes
"You know, the more senior I get, the more I say, you know what, what's the rush? Just take your time. And those moments that you have, maybe it's over a cup of coffee or whatever, just, you know what, before things get cray -cray, let me just take a moment, just to center. You'll be amazed what the Lord speaks in that moment." [00:00:13] (26 seconds)
"But I look back on those moments, I realize that this practice of asking questions is very much like our walk with God. So he invites you and I to come to him and to bring our questions and concerns. Are you with me this morning? That you have to go because we have something that we have a need. He shall supply all of your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. But the difference is he already knows what we're going to ask before we ask it. That's pretty powerful. The Lord, you know, I got this concern. He's already know." [00:08:57] (44 seconds)
"Asking demonstrates our faith and dependence. Asking also strengthens our relationship with Jesus. Now, let me ask you if you agree with that. Amen. Oh, this is a talk back year. Amen." [00:10:40] (15 seconds)
"James 4 and 3 reminds us that when we ask, not if, do not receive because we ask with the wrong motives. Oh, we can say, my God, I need that for this reason. It's all about me, myself, and I. But when we come, we do not receive because of how we ask. We've all had some trials and errors in that area. Amen? You've asked some things. Aren't you glad that he didn't give you some things that you asked for? Oh, I don't have a praying church today. I mean, I'm glad there were some things I asked for that he did not give me because I did not need them. I desired them, but they did not fit or line in or line up with what God had for me. Amen?" [00:13:51] (51 seconds)
"And this is the confidence that we have in him. And there it is again. If we ask anything according to his will, he hears it. You know, I'm into the if and the when. When you ask, if you ask. Anybody on that street, it's a kind of a if you ask or kind of a when you ask, but you got to ask. Amen? That's good news. This sense of depending on him to make a way for us. And then lastly, asking strengthens our relationship with Jesus. And there it is. Ask and it shall be given to you. Asking Jesus what he has available fosters a relationship. I said that earlier about this presence. It's really about a relationship with him. It's not about that thing that you want or the situation that you want handled right now. It's about staying into communication with him. And prayer is two -way communication." [00:18:10] (61 seconds)
"His resurrection is a part of God's plan. His return is a part of God's plan. So I've come to tell you that we've got to ask. We've got to activate it. And you know, when we ask, we should ask with assurance. Ask with anticipation. Ask with authority. Ask with boldness. Don't hesitate. Don't stumble. Don't stumble and grumble as you're coming in. Just be bold. Any bold soldiers in the house today that I'm just going to ask it? I mean, what do I have to lose? Nothing. It's going to draw me. Ask with courage, even when it seems impossible. Ask with determination. Don't give up. Don't stop praying. Ask with expectation." [00:20:16] (41 seconds)
"Believe that something great is going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen. Now, believe it. Ask with faith. Believe in that it will come to pass. Why? Because you've seen it. You've seen it come to pass before. Ask with gratitude. Thank you, Lord. Yeah, you brought me through. Appreciate it. Ask. Ask with humility, acknowledging that he is a sovereign God. Ask with integrity, keeping your intentions honest before God. Ask with joy, for the joy of the Lord is my strength. Ask with kindness." [00:20:57] (32 seconds)
"Trust that he knows what is best for me. That can be hard because we think we know what's best for us. Well, he knows what's best for us. Ask in obedience. Ask with patience. It didn't come yesteryear, but he knows what is the perfect season for you. Aren't you glad you live with a God who gives and shows up in the right season? Ask with quietness. With a quiet. With a spirit. With reverence. With sincerity." [00:21:45] (30 seconds)
"Ask with trust and unity and vision and wisdom and expectation. Remember that God can do exceedingly above all that you ask or think according to the power that works within. Ask with yearning. And don't forget that you hold the key. That prayer is the key that unlocks God's promises today. Amen?" [00:22:16] (26 seconds)
"Matthew 16, now I will give you the keys of the kingdom. That what you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Revelation 118. That I hold the keys to death and Hades. I think you got the point now. And the point is that you can't be afraid to ask. You can't be afraid to ask. You can't be afraid to ask." [00:22:54] (21 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?