“The Necessity of Prayer” #2

We can pray by using ritualistic prayers, using the Lord’s Prayer as an outline, or what some call “Praying the Scriptures.”  What way is best?  All prayer is profitable.  The key is to pray.  And, how long is our prayer?  The Lord’s Word instructs us to “pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess 5:17-18).

One manner by which to embrace God with effective prayer is to apply the essentials Jesus taught us to do in prayer.  Jesus taught, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).  Notice what Jesus said we are to do in prayer:  1) ask, 2) seek, and 3) knock.
This isn’t some kind of deep theology.  This is a basic relationship; a talk to a loving Father – who is not only a provider, but the Creator who not only would die for you, He has.  Follow your heart in talking to your loving “Father God” as you would your daddy or best friend.  Remember, our relationship, as one who is born again, is with our “Abba Father.”  Abba Father is an Aramaic term of endearment, similar to “daddy” (see Mark 14:36, Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6); and when we are in God’s will, obedient to Christ, we are His friend (John 15:14).  I have often heard people refer to their father in this way, “he is my father and best friend.”  That is a relationship to be desired, and Abba Father is prepared to lavish you with such a relationship – it begins in dialog, prayer. 

There will be more posts on “The Necessity of Prayer,” we will focus on what Jesus said we are to do in prayer: to 1) ask, 2) seek, and 3) knock.  These three words are important.  Our Abba Father is willing and responsive to our asking; ready to reveal Himself, His will, when we seek Him, and eagerly opens the door for us to enter into Him when we knock.  

Asking, Seeking, Knocking,

Owen <><