TEXT: Matthew 7:7-12
READING: Psalm 86:1-17
SUBJ: A pattern for practical prayer.
AIM: That we should truly become productive in prayer.
INTR:
1. Some scriptures are easily remembered without thinking about the substance. That substance is of more benefit than simple remembrance.
2. We often fail to claim what has been given us.
3. Of need – we ask; of discovery – we seek; and of opportunity – we knock.
THESIS: True belief is aggressive and sensitive to its needs. It, also, realizes that God alone, in Christ, is our only resource.
I. The avenues in which divine ability and gracious provision are obtained.
1. Ask
1) Consider the most important of requests: John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
2) For faith and of faith: Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
3) Remember the request of Solomon in 1 kings 3:5ff.
4) For preparation: Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
5) Deliverance: Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
6) A contrast: Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
7) Confidence in asking: Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
2. Seek
1) First of all: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2) His face: Psalms 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
3) His statutes: Psalms 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
4) Seeking and living: Psalms 69:32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
5) See the warning in: Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
6) See, again, a contrast: Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
7) And compare: Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. WITH Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
3. Knock
1) A concern of Paul: Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
2) Suggestive of opportunity and danger: 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
3) The desire of us all: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
4) 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
5) And compare: Revelation 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
II. An Illustration and an application
1. About giving gifts to children
2. Answering these things as an application of the “golden Rule.”
