Monday, January 14, 2013

Does our prayer wear God down?

In Matthew ch7, v7-11, the discussion is focused on effective prayer. "Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for". Sounds like something a child might do, repeatedly asking for something until the adult gives out and gives in. Wear em down! I think it is important not to get carried away in the first line. The second line adds, "Keep on seeking, and you will find". This is crucial. Does the writer mean seek a way to get what you want? I don't think so. It seems more appropriate that the author, Matthew, is urging us to seek God's will for us and ask along that line. Does God want you to have that new car? Verse 7 makes it sound like all you have to do is ask repeatedly. But the second part of that verse requires one to "seek". I do not believe it is seeking the right car. I think it is seeking God's will in the request. Does my request line up with God's will? Will this request glorify my own pride, or glorify God? How can this request be used? Will it further the kingdom and make God known to those who might not know Him currently? God is not against cars. No where in scripture does it come close to saying that God wants to deny our requests. In fact, it notes the opposite. Even in the Matthew ch 7 passage, Jesus notes that God knows how to give even better gifts than human fathers/parents. However, the gift must be consistent with God's will and plan. God is not the spiritual Santa Claus reigning to grant our every wish and desire. A point Jesus appears to be making in this passage is to seek out God's will and pray for gifts consistent with that will. God wants to bless His children. He wants to meet our needs and some desires. He is a loving God who cares for his flock. We should not abuse that love by making self-promoting or selfish requests. Seek God's will in your life. Understand how God wants you by asking in prayer, meditating on scripture and spending time connecting. God desires a relationship with you. We ought not ask for things we don't need, or things that will not foster that relationship. It is the key to our perseverance.

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