The Tragedy of a Closed Mouth

In the Black community we have some expressions that we use to communicate wisdom to our children. These cultural expressions are passed down from generation to generation and have played an intricate role in the upbringing of of our children. They are designed as quick way to address an issue in any given moment that would otherwise take someone time to explain. You’ve heard some of these, you’ve used some of these.

“I brought you into this world, I’ll take you out”

“Don’t let your mouth right a check, that you’re behind can’t cash”

“A hard head, makes a soft behind”

But the one that I love the most, is one that’s not disciplinary but affirming. It is, “A closed mouth don’t get fed.” telling us if you wan’t something you need to open your mouth and say whats on your mind.

This is the tragedy of a closed mouth. That we go through life lacking any and everything because we didn’t have the faith and fortitude to humble ourselves, open our mouth, and ask God for what we need and what we want. We miss out on blessings and privileges that God is willing to give because we don’t ask. Says, “you have not because you ask not” “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights...” so we shouldn’t be afraid to ask our God for anything because whatever God gives will be good for us. Petitioning in prayer is asking heaven to intervene where we are incapable. And, in many ways God has so designed prayer that it releases God to complete the will of God and intentions already set. In other words there are things God wants to give but will not give until we ask, and if we don’t ask he will not give.

Just think how different things would be if....Abraham…Jacob…Moses…J Hannah…Samuel…Jehoshaphat…Sampson…David…Solomon…Peter never asked to be saved when he was sinking…(Run make it personal)

Little boy asking for cookies and mother says “no” Finally he asked Jesus.

1. Persistent Petitioning

If someone knocked at your door in the late hrs of the night, you might stop and see if someone is there. If the knock again you know they are where the mean to be. But, if the knock stops then you know they might have had the wrong house. Think, that the door you want to enter can only be opened by God and if how God might just measure your desire by how long you are willing to knock.

This is the lesson of the two friends. That this man caved in to his buddy’s request.

Jesus teaching his disciples to pray is not a lesson on routine or ritual, but a way of being in constant communion with God who alone is the source of all good things. And persistence is the demonstration of unwavering faith. But it is also a indication of boldness before God, who said we can come boldly to the throne of grace. P.U.S.H.

If God said come boldly don’t come to him timid.

Little boy asking for cookies and mother says “no” Finally he asked Jesus.

If someone knocked at your door in the late hrs of the night, you might stop and see if someone is there. If the knock again you know they are where the mean to be. But, if the knock stops then you know they might have had the wrong house. Think, that the door you want to enter can only be opened by God and if how God might just measure your desire by how long you are willing to knock.

2. Incessant Imperatives

The three imperatives listed in the text: Ask, Seek, Knock are all written in the present tense, indicating that the the asking, the seeking, and the knocking are not one time concordances, but a continuation of prayer. Persistent with what you are asking for. Jesus is telling his disciples that the results in prayer happen with persistence, with continuation, without wavering, without losing heart. Not quitting.

Ask

Ask. That is first. My advice to anyone in prayer is to ask what you wan’t. When it comes to kingdom work and God’s glory if what you ask doesn’t fit then it wont work, but if what you ask is in God’s will then you will have it. But, if you aren't specific you might miss out on what God has planned because you wanted to be religious and pray for God will. So, you unemployed don’t just pray for any job because you might just get any job. Pray for the job you want. (Spouse…Relationships…opportunities…house)

“Now onto him who is able to do exceedingly above we can ask or think...” If you believe God can do the impossible, ask God to do the impossible! Seek

Seek

Seeking. We seek for whats whats not there, what’s lost, what’s missing or undiscovered. And Jesus’ words indicate that if you look long enough you will find something. However, Jesus setk in motion the parameters of what we out to see after in chapter 6. He says “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” So, in your seeking if God is not your priority then you will seek and you will find what’s not good for you.

You’re not seeking God but your seeking pleasure…you can find it in substance abuse. Your not seeking the kingdom but you’re seeking…companionship…you’ll find it on Tender. You are not seeking to grow but you’re seeking…comfort…you’ll find in shopping for things you can’t afford. You’re not looking to learn God’s word, but you’re looking for news…you’ll find it in the latest gossip. You can seek and find about anything! But if you prioritize God, you can look for....peace....joy....answers…comfort…pleasure....

(Kirk Franklin “Looking for”)

Knock

There are some doors, some opportunities, some places that can only be opened from God’s side and the persistent urgency in your prayer might get the attention of God to the point that he opens that door.

2. Good Gifts from a Good God

After encouraging prayer he expounds on his point by giving an example. His reasoning is that in the same way you give good gifts to your kids, and since God is your Father, you will get good gifts from a good God. That the loving father in the illustration does not meet his son’s request for food with a harmful substitute. So, what I like about this portion of Jesus’ teaching is that it shows us that God will not answer your prayer by in-turn giving you something that be harmful to you. Now I’m not saying that you will always get what you ask for, but if you don’t ask you might not get anything. And If you do ask you will always get something.

What I like about this portion of Jesus’ teaching is that it shows us that God will not answer your prayer by in turn giving you some thing that will hurt you.

Now I’m not saying that you will always get what you ask for, but if you don’t ask you might not get anything. And If you do ask you will always get something.

Nestled in this passage of scripture are some prerequisites to see the answers to prayer and petition. The first one we covered, that is persistence and perseverance. But, the first perquisite that takes priority over that is this: God must be your God. “Your father.” Now tells us that only to those who believe does he give the right to be called “sons [daughters] of God.” So this blessing belongs to the children of God, the people of God, the Church of God. There is not shame in it. Jesus died for me, that’s how much He loved me. And if he was willing to go all that way to save me how much less than is it to ask God for a little help getting whole self together, to see my dreams come true, to rearrange by life, to set things in order.

Little boy in the checkout line gets more cookies than he can imagine.

Good Gifts from a Good God

I need somebody who knows that God gives good gifts who can help me thank God for all he’s done for us. Thank you…!