"Answered Prayer"(Matthew 7:7-10)

Matthew 7:7-10

Life is not always the way we want it to be. Often, we will pray for something, and we do not get what we want. We become discouraged with our unanswered prayers. In Matthew, we read about 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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 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!

Matthew 7:7-9, 11 ESV

 

According to this passage, whatever we ask for, we will receive it. We also know that this does not happen. Sometimes people will say that our unanswered prayer is a result of a lack of faith. This comes from James.

 

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6 ESV

 

Out of context, it would seem that it is only because of a lack of faith. Yet, if we read the verse before, we see that this is about as

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 ESV

 

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV

  

Jesus contrasts the unrighteous judge to God. The judge listens to those who make noise and insist on getting their way. God listens to everyone and does what is best. This is not about pestering God continually until we get what we want. This is about how God listens.

 

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:7-8 ESV

 

So, maybe we do not get our prayers answered because of wrong motives. However, in the right context, we understand that from this passage there were quarrels caused by wrong motives and people were praying with the wrong intentions. The main point is not against praying for worldly things but against infighting and prayers that perpetuate conflict.

 

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:1-4 ESV

 

A good God gives bread when we ask for it or not. God provides us the best. It is  us that decides if the best God gives are stones or snakes. 

 

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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!

Matthew 7:9-11 ESV

 

Why do we pray? We pray to create, maintain, and nurture a loving relationship with our father God. We speak with our father whether we want something or not. Prayer is communication with our God. Prayers are not magic spells to create what we want. Prayer is that blessing between you and God. BUild up your relationship with God through prayer.