Just Ask - Part I

Scripture References: Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8; James 4:2-3   Nothing Too Difficult . . .   “Ah, Lord God!  It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too hard for you.”  Jeremiah 32:17   “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, Is anything too hard for Me?’”  Jeremiah 32:26-27    Without prayer we render ourselves ineffective, because apart from prayer we are merely human in our efforts.   Just Ask . . . (Matthew 7:7-11)   ·         Ask God humbly. o   Because we are in need. §  We are asking because we cannot provide this on our own. §  We are seeking because we cannot find our way on our own. §  We are knocking because only God can open doors. ·         Knocking always precedes entrance.    ·         Ask God sincerely. o   Because there is no room for inauthenticity in prayer. §  Our motives are not self-seeking, but God-pursuing. §  Our motives are not self-promoting, but God-glorifying.   Where self is exalted, God is excluded.    ·         Ask God specifically. o   Because we need to be aware of our specific need. §  We are asking specifically because God cares about that which burdens us. §  When we pray specifically, we see God answer specifically.   ·         Ask God persistently. o   Because we will not relent until God moves. o   Because our persistence shows our deep trust in God.