"Ask and It shallBe Given You"

Introduction: My friends, why do you not pray? Are you ashamed to pray? There are people not ashamed to be practicing vice, not ashamed to be heard speaking blasphemy, but ashamed to have it known that they pray. There are people that are too proud to bow their knees before the Lord God. There are people that think somehow it is beneath their dignity to pray. Are you ashamed to pray? It is no new thing to find some persons who question the reality of prayer. There have always been such persons; but the Lord Jesus Christ believed in it. In our modern culture there are church goers who don’t believe in prayer. Our congregation are filled with people who rather rely on human wisdom rather than accepting the mere fact that prayer was a practice that was condoned by our Lord Himself. He showed his belief by often teaching us that we ought to pray, by assuring us that prayer will be heard, and by praying much himself.

What position do you hold in regards to prayer?

Is prayer your first initiative? Is it the first step, your opening move, when facing a situation. Those of who are stewards over God’s inheritance, are we guilty of applying this needed element to gain insight from the Lord as to how we should proceed. Or, are we persistent with thinking we can manage the Lords work without ever consulting Him. Prayer will assist us and help us to see where we are and to see what we need to do. However when we disregard, fling it out, or rebel against doing it, we go directly against the plainest teaching of the founder of the Christian religion. Those of us who believe must understand that our yearning after God and our disposition to cry out to Him for mercy and help is no invention of theological thinkers, but it is the natural expression of the human heart for our need and dependence on our founder, Jesus Christ. Christ believed in prayer; and He taught (teaches) us to pray: “Ask, and it shall be given.”

Why should we hold this position?

“For every one that asketh receives.” Christ knows very well how imperfectly we believe in prayer; He knows how difficult it is for us to treat prayer as a reality, and He wants to help you and me. To ignore the call to pray suggest that we know whats best for kingdom growth based on our idealism, feelings, social surroundings, and economic status. What a mess we continue to make all because their is no real reliance on prayer. We should hold this position because Christ condescended and condescends to our infirmity, and assures us that if we ask, we shall receive. He also knows how quickly we become discouraged in our attempts to pray and our prayers seemingly are unanswered, therefore He cautions us not to faint when we do not receive our petitions in an instant. The answer also may not come in a form that is recognizable but if we seek, it builds our confidence towards praying and it reminds the believer of the power of prayer. Of course our relationship and obedience to Christ is essential, then when we petition Him, we can expect results.

How can I hold my position?