Simplicity of Prayer SEEK

Ask Seek & Knock –The Simplicity of Prayer

SEEK Jeremiah 33:1-3 April 13th, 2025

Father how we need you and we cry out to you so weak and frail.  We read in your word. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV) [20] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

When God’s people cry out to Him in prayer amazing things happen. Not just “things” but amazing things happen. Every so often an individual or church would get to a time and place in their life when they need to drop everything, stop everything, shut everything out and cry out to God. We are not talking about politely asking, or simply making requests, we are talking about no holds barred, unashamed, unceasing, relentless CRYING out to God. We cry out to Him because there is no other person or thing on earth that can deliver us, we cry out to Him not because we are not sure if He loves us but because we are ABSOLUTELY sure that He loves and cares for us.

TODAY we want to talk about probably the most neglected weapon in the arsenal of the follower of Jesus Christ.  The most underutilized weapon for life in ministry and that’s prayer. 

This is a series on Prayer - communication with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and how He invites us to move pass the pretentious behaviors and instead approach Him with Simplicity.  The series then is titled: The Simplicity of Prayer - A.S.K

Ask

Seek &

Knock

Theme Verse: Matthew 7:7-8

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Last week we STEPED FORWARD IN PRAYER by looking at the how-to-on prayer. Seven questions you can ask to evaluate your own prayer life from the teaching of Jesus and see how you’re doing in that regard. ASK:

1) Is my prayer real? vv. 5-6 2) Is my prayer simple? vv. 7-8 3) Is my prayer worshipful? vv. 9 4) Is my prayer submissive? V. 10 5) Is my prayer practical? v. 11 6) Is my prayer repentant? v. 12 7) Is my prayer expectant? v. 13

Today we will Step Forward in Prayer to  SEEK Deuteronomy 4:29

[29] But from there you will seekthe LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (ESV)     

 1 Chronicles 16:11

[11] Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (ESV)

Matthew 6:33

[33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

In the context, "seek" carries a meaning that goes beyond a casual search. It conveys a deliberate and continuous effort to prioritize and pursue God. The Greek verb used for "seek" implies an ongoing action, emphasizing that this is not a one-time endeavor but a lifelong commitment to make God's kingdom the central focus of your life.

A persistent and intentional pursuit: It's not a passive desire, but an active and ongoing effort.

Prioritization: It means to place Jesu as the highest priority, above all other.

A deep desire: It reflects a longing and yearning for Jesus Christ.

The passage that I have in front of me today, Jeremiah 33:3 let me begin to read from verse 1 of this chapter. [33:1] The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: this means in prison. [2] “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name: here’s what he says. [3] Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  See it there, verse 3?   Our spiritual food for today.  Now how awesome is that invitation from God?  “Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.” It’s incredible what He says to you and to me.  God’s like “CALL TO ME, and I will answer you and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.”  He is saying  "SEEK ME" which implies that ongoing action, emphasizing that this is not a one-time endeavor but a lifelong commitment to make God’s kingdom the central focus of one's life.

Now notice four things about this incredible promise.  Notice first of all..   1.  God’s Invitation [2] “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name:

Invitations are good but it totally depends on who’s giving the invitation. Wouldn’t you agree? .  If you were going through some medical problem and I said, “Well I could help “You know, as far as I know you don’t really have any medical training.”  “Well, yeah, but I would try really hard for you.”  And you say, “I don’t think…I don’t think…you know.”  I think the point’s pretty clear.  It all depends on who’s giving the invitation and God didn’t want there to be any doubt on who’s giving this invitation. 

That’s why verse 2 says, look at verse 2 with me again.  “Thus says the Lord, who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it.”  “The Lord is His name.” Now why does it say LORD?  Three times in one verse. There is an emphasis here! When you see LORD capitalized in the Bible, that is God’s covenant name, that is Yahweh speaking.  Over 6800 times in the Old Testament, God reveals to us His personal name.  Why does he do that?  Because He wants to know us personally.  When you say to somebody, “I’m Reverend JACK.  I’m Doctor So-and-So.  I’m Mr., Mrs., what you’re really saying is that you want to keep the person at a distance. You’re going to know me by my title.  You’re going to know me by my role, but when God steps out and almost 7000 times says, “This is my name.”  See this invitation comes from someone who wants to know you personally, who wants to meet needs in your life. 

You say, “Well is that really possible?”  Yes, it is.  And God says, “Call,” notice just those two words, “TO ME.”  God’s like, “Why don’t you come to me more when you have a problem?”  Why don’t you SEEK AFTER ME with a A persistent and intentional pursuit:  not a passive desire, but an active and ongoing effort.

Why does God want us to call to him in prayer…

 B/c it’s crucial; Especially so in the spiritual battle that rages; The very context of Eph 6, where Paul implies that prayer is the power behind the fight. In Eph 6:16; Paul says take up the shield of faith  . . . and the helmet of salvation , and the sword of the Spirit  – praying at all times in the Spirit. The word praying  is a participle – something you do while  you do something else. Paul says to put on the whole armor of God  – while praying ; Implying that prayer is the power behind the fight. All of which makes it crucial! Let me give you my big five prayer essentials.  I hope you’ll remember this.  If you do these five things I’m about to tell you, your prayer life is going to turbo

Just do these five personal prayer essentials:

· Get alone with your Bible.

I don’t know what to pray.

Open your Bible to Psalms.  Start there.  Psalm 23.  Thank You, Lord, that you are my shepherd.  (Psalm 23) Thank You, Lord, that you are my strength and my shield.    (Psalm 27) Thank You, Lord, that you are a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.    (Psalm 46:1) Thank You, God, that I can be still and know that you are God.  (Psalm 46:10)

You will not run out of stuff.  Just start there.  Thank You, Lord, that I have tasted and seen that you are good.  (Psalm 34:1)

Spend some time in the Psalms.  That will flow out of you like a river.

· Kneel down

1. Getting alone with your Bible gives focus; 2. kneeling down with your Bible gives humility.  Choose a posture that says to God…

You are!  I am not! 

Get as low as you can.

I’ve talked a lot about being prostrate before the Lord, and seeing my tears fall on the ground this far [inches] from my face and calling out to God passionately.

· Pray out loud.

I did this today.  Pray out loud.  Lift up your voice a bit.  Let God hear you. 

1. Getting alone gives focus; 2. kneeling down gives humility; 3. praying out loud helps with concentration.  I’m not just thinking things; I’m talking to God.  How many people have ever prayed and had your mind wander?  Put up your hand—let other people see you.  Right.  So one of the ways that you keep your mind from wandering is praying out loud

· With a list.

1. Getting alone raises the focus; 2. kneeling down raises the humility; 3. out loud raises the concentration; 4. with a list raises the spe-ci-fi-city.  One of the reasons why we don’t have in prayer is because we pray for generic stuff. 

God help me today.

How did that go? 

Ask for something specific.  Get a list.  Pray for a person.  Ask God to do something specific: something you can see; something you can recognize; something you can rejoice in; something you can testify to.

Pray fervently.  

It means expressing your heart as the Spirit moves you; Prompts you; Leads you.

Not religiously, or piously; But in the Spirit as Paul says it; That’s Eph 6:17-18 under his influence; With his help; According to his desires.

You say Pastor Al what if I pray like that and, and really reaching down to the depths of the things that my heart longs for, what if God doesn’t do it?” Well I’m glad to share with you the second word.  Make a note of it…

2.  God’s Insurance God’s like “I’m not gonna leave you out there, you don’t have to be wondering about It.” Notice the four word promise there-call to me- do you see it there, its just four words- I WILL ANSWER YOU. Isn’t that great? Call to me and I will answer you.  This is God’s assurance.  You’re like yeah that’s what he says but will he really? Make a note of this reference: Titus 1:2 tells us that God cannot lie.  How do you like that? Not does not- CANNOT LIE.

What if I were to say to you, maybe this isn’t the best time or anything like that, but I need you to loan me a million dollars- today.  Could you do it? No.  What’s- your attitude problem there? Is that what it is? You don’t feel like doing it? What are you trying to say exactly? You don’t have it.  You don’t have no friends? Well who are these people sitting beside you- they can’t go get it? You don’t think they have it either so it’s not a matter of trying; you just flat out can’t do it.  Is that what you’re telling me? Okay okay.  You say well if you cant you cant.  Just like asking a man to bear a child.  Just flat out cant.  Now hold on to that.  God can’t lie.  Titus 1:2- a God that cannot lie.  Isn’t that great news?  God Can’t do it, he can’t lie.  So when God says, what are those four words again? I WILL ANSWER YOU- guess what? He will. He absolutely will.

How many of us make promises to our children and cannot keep them. Sometimes as parents we say things we want to do it, we fully intend to do it, but somehow it just doesn’t get done.  Question: is God like that? No, God is not like that. Not only can God not lie, but listen: God is able.  God is able to keep the promises that he makes, as I often say, with his feet up.  He’s not stressed, he’s not taxed and so because God’s supply is limitless, when God says, “I will answer you,” He means what he says.  He cannot lie. I love this reference Isaiah 46:11, “Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass.  I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:11 amen.  That’s God. God is able. 

You’re like, “you know what, I don’t mean to be criticizing the preacher or nothing like that for sure, but seems to me I’ve prayed some times and God didn’t answer me.”  Well you may have heard this before, but just for clarity, all right, there are three kinds of answers, okay, three kinds of answers.  Yes, no , wait…

1. Yes.  And contrary to popular opinion I would suggest to you the vast majority of all of our prayers are answered yes. 

2.  However some of our prayers the answer is not yes but no.  Sometimes the answer to the prayer, NO! Not now now -  not ever; NO!  There aren’t many like that either, especially as you grow as a Christian you start praying for more wisdom, you don’t ask for dumb stuff.

3.  God say this third answer: not yes, not no, but WAIT!  Yes I will act, yes I will work and I will do it, but before I do this thing that you are asking of me, I’m gonna do some other things first.  NOW HERE IS THE INSURANCE .  I John chapter 5 verse 14.  “,” “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”  Now that’s a fantastic promise.  That’s the insurance as we seek him.

Ok?  Invitation, insurance.  I got a third word for you.  You ready?  Here it is…   3. God’s INSPIRATION.

You say that’s what I really need.  I just need a tune-up in my prayer life.  How many people here this morning say, “I could use a little tune-up in my prayer life?  A little spark, just a little something to get me back praying again.” .”  Though this promise is to us and to our children forever, it was first and foremost a promise to Jeremiah.  Let’s talk a little bit about Jeremiah here for a moment, the one who penned this promise under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah was from a city known as Anathog.  Today it’s known as Anata.  It’s about three miles Northeast of Jerusalem, and you can still go there, to Jeremiah’s hometown.  And he was unmarried throughout his life, as a sign of the harsh judgment that God was bringing to correct Israel’s rebellion.  Sometimes we live and think, “Man, I just wish I could’ve lived in some better days, you know?”  and “Things are so dark today.”  Do you ever think that?  And people are so turned against God.  Well what about Jeremiah’s day.  Did you know that in Jeremiah’s day they were so far into adultery and idolatry that they would actually take their own children and offer them as a sacrifice to the satanic deity Molek.  Just grab one of their children, “You’re coming with us,” and killed in sick perverse satanic worship. 

Jeremiah preached for five decades from 627 B.C. past the Babylonian captivity to 570 B.C.  He’s called the weeping prophet.  He never saw one convert in his ministry.  Now can you imagine being faithful to God for five decades, you see no response to your message and at the end of it you get thrown in prison for your time. 

Now how many people think that Jeremiah had a couple of questions for God?  I think he might have, and here he was probably very perplexed, very confused, and there’s no coincidence loved ones that it’s into that situation of perplexity that God makes this promise., “Are you not sure about what I’m doing?  You don’t know why I’m doing what I’m doing? Are you a little troubled about it?”  What does God say? SEEK ME! Call to me!  I’ll answer you!  And I’ll tell you great things!”   What an Inspiration!

1. God’s Invitation | 2. God’s Insurance | God’s Inspiration

Mark down this fourth word…  4.  God’s Illumination.   Hidden things.  Some translations there have “mighty things.”  NIV translates it “unsearchable.”  Actually the Hebrew word is used as “fortified cities that were inaccessible and unassailable.”  God knows things about our circumstances.  Habakkuk 1:5, “Look among the nations.  Be utterly astounded, for I will work a work in your day that you would not believe if it were told you.” Do you know what God’s doing?  If God were to tell you you’d be like, “Huh?  No way I don’t believe it!”  Believe it. Things personally related to you.  Things personally related to your situation.  Things you have not known.

Now, you don’t learn this in college, you don’t learn this in life.  You learn these hidden things, these secret things, these great things, you learn them in prayer as you seek after God with all of your whole heart Okay?  You don’t learn them in small group, and you don’t learn them in church.  You learn them in prayer. 

What I’m talking about now, you will learn this in private, in prayer.  Great things.  Hidden things.  Now I wonder how many people are here today, and if the truth were known, the greatest obstacle to your faith, today… As you’ve encountered some stuff…I’m not seeing it. 

“How could God be really trustworthy and do that?  I’m angry about it.” 

“Will he really come through for me?  I’m fearful.” 

“Does he even care?  I’m doubting.” 

Those are enemies of prayer.  And those victories are only won in prayer.  And I encourage you.  God’s never like, “What are you pressing me about this for?”  Not at all.  You cry, “Call out to me and I will answer you and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.” 

Everything that I know about prayer, I’ve learned praying.  Every good thing that has ever happened to me didn’t come from a seminar on prayer and it didn’t come from a sermon on prayer.  It came from praying.  And I have felt this week, I gotta tell you, so helpless looking at this little verse.  “Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great hidden things which you have not known.”

So whether it’s asking for wisdom, provision, power, or blessing; Or praying for saints,

sinners, and situations – It’s time for us to Just do it! It’s time to pray!  You know when someone is serious about prayer?  When they actually pray!

We have an INVITATION, INSURANCE, INSPIRATION and ILLUMINATION. Pray all the time, in the Spirit, for all things – with a pure heart, and a firm belief. That’s unceasing prayer; And I want to take a few minutes to do so right now; I want to pray together as a church.

I don’t want to just talk about it, I want to do it; And I want you to do it – in groups of 2,

or 3, or on your own, or even up front on your knees (Walt Instrumental)

Whatever the case, I want to spend a few minutes thanking him for his goodness and exalting his greatness together. Crying out to God! And confessing our sin to him, committing to turn from it.  Seeking Him with all of your heart.

And lifting up some petitions for yourself, and our church, and the world.  So, get together with someone next to you, or settle in by yourself . . . Or, if you’d like, come forward and join me on your knees.

And one last thing – I want you to pray out loud ; Even if you’re by yourself. As I prompt you with some categories and requests – I want you to lift up your voice, much like we do in worship, and call / cry out to the Lord; Let’s do that now.

• Confession – for the things you’ve done, and things you haven’t. Committing to turn from your sin in repentance.

Adoration – exalting and thanking God for his goodness and greatness. For all he’s done, all he’s doing, and all he’s promised.

Requests –  for yourself, your family, our church, our nation, the world.

Yourself – passion for souls; desire to grow

Your family – love would reign; Christ honored

Our church – staff; resources; OUR OWN PROPERTY; expansion of ministry

Our nations – guide our leaders.

The world – gospel would spread to more and more people; God worshipped

Prayer (no music)– Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy; to the only God, our Savior,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all

time and now and forever. Amen.  (Jude 24-25)

Bernadine sings  ()

Ressurection Sunday Invite.