Everyone Who Asks Receives

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Everyone Who Asks Receives

By Adele M. Gill

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you. 

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

And, to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." 

Luke 11:9-10   [NIV]

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Does prayer really change things? I think so, but consider this…

I have a close friend who prays about just about everything. She is very connected to God in prayer, and has had many prayers powerfully answered in miraculous ways. Once I asked her for the reason for her peace and joy, and she did not hesitate: 

"God is the reason for my very being. Everything I have, everything I am, everything I am able to do is because of the love of Jesus."

It is easy to wonder how someone can have such simple faith in this turbulent world. But today's Holy Scripture goes a long way to explain the life-changing power of prayer...In fact, this Bible passage is Jesus' invitation to you and to me to come to Him. There is no need for eloquent words or long explanations. Simply turn to Him with all that you have on your heart and in your mind, all that you are.

Though it is not always easy to pray in times of adversity, I have found it is even harder in good times. The truth is, that we as humans are easily distracted. Distracted by worries, distracted by relationships, distracted by pleasure, distracted by ruminating thoughts, distracted by what our children do and don’t do, and by our own sins, both of commission and omission. Whatever the scenario, we are always on the go, and rarely take the time to stop and ask God for what we need. As Christians, to really discover and possess peace and joy in this life, we need to embrace God’s outstretched hand in prayer, and by so doing, we are entering into a personal relationship with Jesus that is like no other on earth.

Truly, it is vitally important to stop and take a minute to invite Jesus in in good times and bad. Trust me, there is no one who knows you better! He knows when you are reeling from disappointment, and dealing with abandonment issues. He knows when you need healing and comfort. He knows what you need and don't need. He knows about your all your relationships, everything you do and even your unspoken motivations. Unlike anyone else, He knows it all!

Interested in taking the first step to accept Jesus’ invitation? According to this Scripture, here is the prayer pathway suggested in this Scripture to follow when you pray to God for or about something or someone:

1)       “Ask and it will be given to you.” Ask for whatever you need in earnest. No request is too great or too small for God.

2)       “Seek and you will find.” Seek God with all your heart and your failings and misgivings will fall to the wayside as you place your focus on Him rather than your problem(s).

3)        “Knock and the door will be opened to you.” When you seek God with all your heart and mind, you are answering the greatest invitation for all times—God’s call.

The second part of this Bible passage refers to what you can anticipate.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

And, to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." 

And what a joy it is when you realize your prayers are heard and answered as only God can! Yes, clearly prayer changes worry to wonder, cynicism to joy, and brokenness to blessings. It can ease any pain and bring healing to the sick, and companionship to the lonely. It can bring light to your days when before you lived in stark darkness.

There are times in life when circumstances and relationships are beyond our control and we feel like we are careening out of control. Give it all to Jesus, for He is the greatest hope the world has ever known. Like someone waiting for you to call, He is there for you just waiting for you to hand over your next “God job” –you know, the thing that keeps you awake at night. 

Accept Jesus’ invitation from today’s Scripture, and your life will never be the same as He will change things for the better for you! He died on the cross for you and me to be present to us for all of eternity!

Adele M. Gill   |   Copyright 2016   |   www.theinspirationcafeblog.net