"Ask, and it shall be given"
Christ was continually receiving from the Father, that He might communicate to us. "The Word which ye hear," He said, "is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me." (John 14:24)
The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." (Matt. 20:28) Not for Himself, but for others. He lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with the Father, He came forth, morning by morning, to bring the Message to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and was anointed with Words and Grace that He might impart to others.
He said, "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word, in season, to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned." (Isa. 50:4)
Based on Luke 11:1-13: Christ's disciples were much impressed by His Prayers and His habit of communion with the Father. One day they found Him absorbed in supplication and unconscious of their presence. The disciples said to Him, "teach us to Pray." So Christ quoted a model prayer and directed them to The Source of supply, "Our Father Who Art in Heaven"!!! Yahveh, Our Father, delights to give. He is full of compassion, and longs to grant the requests of those who come unto Him in faith. He gives to us that may minister to others and thus become a pleasure to Him. (Rev. 4:11, Isa 43:7)
Christ declares, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened."
Christ's lesson's in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and His illustration (model prayer), brings to view principles that all of us need to understand and use as a guide. He shows what is the true Spirit of prayer. He teaches the necessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to our Father, and assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer.
Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the Principle of our lives. "For their sakes," He said, speaking of His disciples, "I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified." (John 17:19)
The same devotion, the same self-sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of The Word, that were made manifest in Christ, must be seen in His servants!!! We are to glorify our Father in everything that we do!!!
Our prayers may sometimes seem to not get an immediate answer, but Christ teaches that we should not cease to pray. Prayer is not to work any change in our Heavenly Father; it is to bring us into harmony with Him!!!
When we make requests of Him, He may see that it is necessary for us to search our hearts and repent of sin. Therefore, He takes us throught test and trial and He may bring us through humiliation, that we may see what hinders the working of His Holy Spirit through us!!!
There are conditions to the fulfillment of God's promises, and prayer can never take the place of "duty". Christ says, "if you love me, keep My commandments." He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:15-21) Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Yahveh!!! They bring the name of Christ (Yashua) as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him.
The promise is, "If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7) And John says, "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." (1John 2:3-5)
So it is with every other one of God's requirements. All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience. All who obey Him may with confidence claim the fulfillment of His promises.
Many do not have the faith and belief. This is why they do not see more of the power of God!!!
There are those that want to pray and help others, but feel that they have no Spiritual strength or light to impart. Let them present their petitions at the throne of grace. Plead for the Holy Spirit. Our Father stands behind every promise He has made!!! With your Bible in your hands, just tell Him in truth, I have done as thou hast said. I present Thy promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." We must pray not only in Christ's name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26) Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity, we pray in the name of Christ, there is in that intensity a pledge from our Father, Yahveh, that He is about to answer our prayer "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)
Just remember that prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door!!! Words are so easily spoken, but prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar.
Have faith when you speak to the Master, that's all He is asking for.
--Waylon
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