The ASK Method of Prayer - Asking (Part I)

Scripture

Matthew 7:7-11

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)

Wingman, you have available to you the most powerful force in all the universe. That power is prayer and you can exercise it anytime and anyplace. Consider the context.

Jesus introduces us to the ASK Method of Answered Prayer. The words in this Scripture imply action, doing something, being proactive instead of passive. They are in the present tense meaning, keep on, and continue doing this. Jesus shows us the conditions that must be met before we can experience answers to our prayers.“Ask” means to request expecting an answer. This should become a habit in your life. Asking implies there is a need in your life. It implies effort. Prayer is hard work and is confessing your dependence upon God.I. Ask With Your Sins Having Been ConfessedIf there is sin in your life, you cannot expect an answer form God.Psalm 66:18¹⁸ If I regard wickedness in my heart,The Lord will not hearII. Ask With a Humble HeartThe picture is of a beggar coming before a superior, a pauper coming before a king. You humbly come before God as a servant submitting to His authority.II Chronicles 7:14¹⁴ and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.III. Ask With a Sense of UrgencyThe idea here is one of urgency, passion, enthusiasm. You are crying out to God with your all.James 5:16b… The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish muchIV. Ask Believing That God is Listening and Expecting That God Will AnswerYou must have faith that God will do what He said He would do. He has promised to answer Receive (Matthew 7:8) means to lay hold of once you meet God’s conditions.Hebrews 11:6⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.V. Ask Bringing Something Specific to GodAsking implies there is a specific need, a specific issue, problem, person, or circumstance you are bringing before God.VI.Ask Trusting That if you Don’t Get an Immediate Answer, God is Still WorkingYou keep asking even when you don’t get an immediate answer. God is pleased with our persistency and our continuing to believe that He will keep His Word.VII. Ask Understanding That the Timing May Not Be Right for YouYou must trust God’s timing in prayer. The reason you may not be getting an answer to prayer may be that it is not God’s timing. God may not be saying “No,” only “Not now.” A good example of trusting God’s timing is Habakkuk 2:3…³ “For the vision is yet for the appointed time;It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.Though it tarries, wait for it;For it will certainly come, it will not delay.Ask first, “God, what do You want from me?”  Rather than, “God, Here’s what I need.”Surrender your where, what, when, and how to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You are making yourself available to God to do whatever He tells you to do.VIII. Ask With Acceptance of Whatever Answer God GivesMatthew 7:9-11⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (ESV)This teaches that God, as your loving Father, will only give you what is best for you, what is protective for you, what is good for you, and at the right time. “Good” in verse 11 means joyful and happy. Tell the Lord that whatever answer He gives, you will accept it.IX. Ask for Something BigDare to ask God for something that is impossible. Dare to ask God for something that only He could do.

Our God can do anything, He is everywhere at once, and knows everything. That’s Who you are talking to.