Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, seek, knock: that is, in one word: pray, pray often, pray with sincerity, and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a business of prayer, and be earnest in it. Ask; represent your wants and burdens to God, and refer yourselves to Him for support and supply, according to His promise.
Seeking and knocking implies something more than asking and praying. We must not only ask, but seek; we must second our prayers with our endeavors.
God gives knowledge and grace to those that search the scriptures, and wait at Wisdom's gates. We must not only ask, but knock; we must come to God's door, must ask importunately: not only pray, but plead and wrestle with God; we must seek diligently; we must continue knocking, must persevere in prayer, and in the use of means, must endure to the end in the the duty. (Matthew Henry)
I knew prayer was important--but wow! We are not to hold back when asking God for things we want or need. I'll have to admit when I was reading this a list was already forming in my mind:
*new furniture
*new carpet
You get the picture, but I don't think this is what the scripture is targeting. If you are seeking God there is work on your part--He expects you to not give up, searching scriptures for His answers, and praying as often as you take a breath. Matthew Henry mentioned wrestling with God which involves a lot on our part--working up a sweat, putting a lot of time and energy into it.
Big day at work today; faculty meeting, faculty Christmas party, and then PTA tonight at 6:00. I won't get home until after seven (mentally drooping); but that's the way the ball bounces. Every morning when I wake up my first thought is, "Good morning Lord--this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad." It really helps me set my attitude before I begin.
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