Ask, Seek, Knock
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
Such comforting assurances of God's steadfast generosity give us, the children of God, the confidence to approach God in prayers and ask for what we need. What an amazing promise we have been given! This is truly a revelation to the early church, and to us today. In the old testament book of Esther, the beautiful queen risks her very life by approaching the king to ask his mercy on her and her people. A devious counselor had duped the king into allowing a decree to destroy the Jewish people. Queen Esther's uncle Mordecai told her of the decree, and asked her to approach the king on their behalf.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:15-16
Queen Esther's courage was met by her king's mercy, and the people were spared. But we need not fear when we approach God's throne asking for mercy. Because in Christ Jesus, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, we are reconciled with God, and we have the assurance that our needs will be met. If we ask for help, it will be given. If we seek understanding, we will understand, and someday, when we come to the gates of heaven, the gates will swing open wide for us.
Gracious, loving God, in your wisdom through the ages you have taught your people through the great writings of Scripture. We give thanks for their inspired message, and we give thanks for the teachers who bring them to your people today. Let our modern American hearts and minds be open to your timeless message of selfless love that risks everything and costs nothing.
Through the assurances of scripture, we approach you and ask your blessing on all who are suffering as victims of violence or hatred. We pray for your people trapped in poverty and hopelessness, and for those who suffer with illness, both physical and mental. We pray for people who are caught between cultural or political conflicts, and for those who are imprisoned and forgotten. We pray also for all those who inflict harm on others. Help us forgive, and shine your light into their hearts to let them see your way of love, and change their lives. Lift your children out of the depths of despair, and help us see the light of your way for all of us.
We lift up the names of Todd Sanford, Augustine Johnson, Loyd Hamilton, Tommy Johnson, Desiray Tate, Teresa Shelton, Sheryl Cobbs, Patricia Cobbs, Gustella Chatman, Lubertha Thompson, Inez Shelton, Christy Monjaraz, Berverly Jeffords, Krisann Trevino, Jimmy Trevino, Leon D. Vessell Ball, Michelle Baer. We join with these who ask for prayer, let us receive your graciousness. We seek to know more about your way for our lives, show us your plans which are for our benefit. We are knocking, swing open the gates and welcome us into your presence. We pray with the confidence of your own children, as instructed by your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is one with you, and in whom we are all one. Amen.
Such comforting assurances of God's steadfast generosity give us, the children of God, the confidence to approach God in prayers and ask for what we need. What an amazing promise we have been given! This is truly a revelation to the early church, and to us today. In the old testament book of Esther, the beautiful queen risks her very life by approaching the king to ask his mercy on her and her people. A devious counselor had duped the king into allowing a decree to destroy the Jewish people. Queen Esther's uncle Mordecai told her of the decree, and asked her to approach the king on their behalf.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:15-16
Queen Esther's courage was met by her king's mercy, and the people were spared. But we need not fear when we approach God's throne asking for mercy. Because in Christ Jesus, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, we are reconciled with God, and we have the assurance that our needs will be met. If we ask for help, it will be given. If we seek understanding, we will understand, and someday, when we come to the gates of heaven, the gates will swing open wide for us.
Gracious, loving God, in your wisdom through the ages you have taught your people through the great writings of Scripture. We give thanks for their inspired message, and we give thanks for the teachers who bring them to your people today. Let our modern American hearts and minds be open to your timeless message of selfless love that risks everything and costs nothing.
Through the assurances of scripture, we approach you and ask your blessing on all who are suffering as victims of violence or hatred. We pray for your people trapped in poverty and hopelessness, and for those who suffer with illness, both physical and mental. We pray for people who are caught between cultural or political conflicts, and for those who are imprisoned and forgotten. We pray also for all those who inflict harm on others. Help us forgive, and shine your light into their hearts to let them see your way of love, and change their lives. Lift your children out of the depths of despair, and help us see the light of your way for all of us.
We lift up the names of Todd Sanford, Augustine Johnson, Loyd Hamilton, Tommy Johnson, Desiray Tate, Teresa Shelton, Sheryl Cobbs, Patricia Cobbs, Gustella Chatman, Lubertha Thompson, Inez Shelton, Christy Monjaraz, Berverly Jeffords, Krisann Trevino, Jimmy Trevino, Leon D. Vessell Ball, Michelle Baer. We join with these who ask for prayer, let us receive your graciousness. We seek to know more about your way for our lives, show us your plans which are for our benefit. We are knocking, swing open the gates and welcome us into your presence. We pray with the confidence of your own children, as instructed by your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is one with you, and in whom we are all one. Amen.
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