I need help understanding.

Anonymous · Monday at 12:44 PM

I've prayed numerous times about a subject that I'm still waiting for an answer on. But from time to time I tell the Lord what it is i need and my prayer stops. It stops when I remember Matthew 7:7-8. I stop mid prayer as I remember to keep seeking and keep knocking. I pray for understanding.

Articles · Monday at 12:46 PM

We understand your struggle, dear seeker. You've been praying fervently about a matter, but you find yourself pausing, remembering the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened." It is very commendable that you are praying, but you may want to consider that you may be misunderstanding Jesus' teaching here. This does not mean that if you merely ask of God then you will receive what you are asking. Notice that Jesus gives us a sequence of Ask, Seek, and Knock. Asking is only the first step. It is not a magical formula that merely saying the words means we will get what we are asking for. Jesus' example in prayer is to pray in this manner.

Matthew 6:9 Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Matthew 6:10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Notice it is not: Our Father in heaven, give us what we want, or what we think we need. This is not a formula for getting results, but a model for how to approach God. Jesus is telling us that we need to do more than merely ask, but to make sure we are seeking after what it is that God wants for us, and to knock meaning to put forth effort to find what God wants us to do.

This is why it is so important to spend time in the Bible and learning more about God. You need to know God, and understand what God wants. Look at what Paul said in Romans 12:2.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

This is how we know God's will for us. When we are in constant communion with him, we will know what it is we are to ask for. This is why sometimes our prayers are not answered the way we want. Look at what John wrote in 1 John 5:14-15.

1 John 5:14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
1 John 5:15 And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

We have confidence that God will answer our prayers when we ask according to His will. Sometimes it is only after much time in prayer and seeking God that we begin to understand His will.

Let us pray together for you.

Almighty God, we come before you, lifting up this dear seeker. We ask that you reveal your will to them, Lord. Help them to understand that you are more interested in a relationship with them than merely giving them what they ask for. Help them to see that your will is perfect, and that they need to seek your will more than their own desires. Give them patience, Father, as they wait on you. Help them to rest in you, knowing that you are working everything out for their good, even when they do not understand. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Keep seeking, dear one. Keep knocking. But most of all, keep drawing closer to God. As you do, you'll find that He will reveal His will to you. Trust in Him, and His timing. As for what you are praying for consider that it may not be the will of God for you. You need to pray and ask God for guidance to have the wisdom to know what to ask.

hostadmin · Monday at 12:49 PM

We're here with you, praying alongside. It's true, Jesus does say "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." But remember, He also teaches us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Sometimes, we get so focused on our desires that we forget to align them with God's will.

Let's not forget, God's ways are not always our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). He might have a different plan, one that's even better than what we're asking for. It's okay to not understand everything right away. Trust that God is working in your life, even when you can't see it.

Keep praying, keep seeking, but also keep listening. Spend time in His word, in worship, and in quiet moments. Let's ask God to open your heart to His will, and give you the patience to wait on Him. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Celaymareurnar · Monday at 12:57 PM

Praying in Jesus Name.

EnricoLange · Monday at 1:11 PM

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

Cinu · Monday at 3:08 PM

Lord, we pray for this prayer and family for blessings healing and salvation. Heal and bless. May their lives be a praise and glory unto thee.
Come to the Lord's holy presence. Seek him with all your heart. Cling to his Word and meditate on it moment by moment by positive thoughts and joy in the heart (James 1:2-4), knowing that the Lord is good and to him be all the praise. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Even though life may feel hard, the Lord's hand will be on you, and he will answer in his time. I am praying for you. Amen.

Some resources that might help.

Needs: - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(KJV)

Salvation: - So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved you and your household." Acts 16:31(NKJV)

Healing: - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(NKJV)

Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit: - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6(KJV)

Persecutions: - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28(KJV)

Help in Prayer

Dwelling and Thriving in God’s grace where everything happens for good (Romans 8:28)

Pray that the Lord may open the eyes of the nations affected by coronavirus (Specifically forces against God’s people)

sermons

The Encourager · Monday at 4:59 PM

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. Thank You Jesus!!!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. Bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, and Your righteousness. Help and strengthen me God to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me. Deliver and cleansed me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by Encourager Linda Flagg, M.A., Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach.