The ASK Method of Prayer - Knocking (Part III)
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, this is the third step in the ASK method of answered prayer. First it’s Ask, then Seek and now Knock. Knock has the idea of pressing through, not giving up. Knock implies that you may not get an immediate answer, yet you are determined to continue until you do. You are knocking on God’s door. Notice that Jesus promises, “to him who knocks it will be opened.” God will open doors of blessing, provision, opportunity, joy, peace, and influence.You are being welcomed into the presence of God with your requests.
Here are 10 Ways to Knock:
I. Knock by Getting Desperate for God and Crying Out to HimAs long as you are content with the way things are, as long as you are satisfied, comfortable, and at ease, nothing much will change. You must get desperate for God to the point of crying out to Him.Psalm 18:66 In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (ESV)Psalm 107:66 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (ESV)Psalm 130:1130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! (ESV)II. Knock by Believing God Knows What You Need, When You Need It and Will Meet That NeedKnocking implies that you believe there is someone on the other side of that door. So you knock with anticipation. Someone is going to answer. Something is going to happen. Whatever we receive is God’s provision even if it’s not what we were specifically praying for. God always knows best!III. Knock by Refusing to Give UpThe idea is you don’t just knock once, but that you knock and keep knocking. You persist and don’t give up.Colossians 4:22 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (ESV)Luke 18:118 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (ESV)I Thessalonians 5:1717 pray without ceasing, (ESV)IV. Knock by IntensityThe setting here is one of intensity. This is not causal praying, it is praying which comes against the enemy, prays against the enemies of God and refuses to back down because of Satan’s threats. It’s not volume, it is passion and urgency.V. Knock by Understanding That if You Don’t Pray, Nothing Is Going to HappenIf you don’t knock, no one is going to answer the door. Knocking implies that you are proactive, not passive.VI. Knock by Being Humbly Submissive to GodThis is humble, surrendering prayer to God. You are a beggar coming before a King.VII. Knock by Using the Name of JesusThe name of Jesus represents all Jesus is. You are praying in His authority, not your own.John 14:13-1413 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)VIII. Knock by Standing on God’s Promises about Answered PrayerKnock with anticipation that something is going to happen. If you are right with God and you are praying consistent with His will, something is going to happen. Nothing never happens if you pray.IX. Knock by Being in the Center of God’s WillUnless you are in the center of God’s, you will have no right to knock, nor right to expect you will get heaven’s opened door. In God’s will, knock away!X. Knock Until the Door Is Opened, Closed, or God Shows You Another DoorIf you are praying and praying and praying about a matter, either God will open that door or He will show you another door. He will give you a peace when it’s time to stop knocking.