Pray then like this…
Prayer is simply an honest, ongoing conversation with God.
Jesus tells us that God knows what we need (Matthew 6:8), but He still wants us to come and tell Him what’s on our minds. He is a good Father who cares for us (Matthew 7:11). He wants to speak into our circumstances, comfort our hearts, and shape our perspectives.
He loves giving good gifts to His children—gifts they want, long for, and ask for. But sometimes, what we want isn’t actually good for us.
When Jesus says in Matthew 7:8, “ask, and it will be given to you,” He isn’t saying that we will get everything we ask for.
God cannot—and will not—give us anything that contradicts His character. God will only give us what is good, and sometimes a “no” from God is the response we actually need. But He still wants us to bring Him all our desires, and if we ask for anything that aligns with His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)
So how do we discover God’s will?
We spend time with Him.
The more we get to know God, the more we will understand His character. And it’s only when we understand His character that we will ask for things that align with His will.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 are a promise that when we ask for God, He gives us Himself. When we humbly seek God, He finds us. And when we come to Him as we are, He welcomes us with open arms.
When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. And when He draws near, He transforms the way we think, renews our minds, restores our souls, and leads us down paths that are for our good and His glory.
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with...