The Impact of Prayer

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:7-11

Those who ask will receive answers. Those who seek will find. Those who knock will see the door open. The acrostic “A-S-K” will help us remember to “ask, seek, and knock.”

The Lord wants us to pray to Him, not only because it honors Him but also because it helps us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. Furthermore, prayer taps us into His work in the world. At any given moment, you can pray for anyone anywhere on earth and have confidence that the Lord of the entire universe will hear you and respond in the most effective fashion.

For this reason, prayer is one of the best ways to get involved in God’s mission. What a wonderful privilege it is to be able to participate in the expansion and functioning of God’s kingdom by asking the Lord to help His children and impact His creation.

Another reason the Lord instructs us to pray is to build our faith in Him. Even sinful men give gifts to their children. How much more does our holy heavenly Father enjoy giving good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11)! It pleases Him to help us along in our faith as we learn His Word, practice His presence, and allow His thoughts and ways to become our own. The Lord also loves to answer our prayers and see us grow bolder in our walk and witness.

God’s Word tells us that He is faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). Be certain to set aside time every day to talk and listen to Him, and you will learn this truth firsthand.

Charles Stanley