Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV) “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.”
Devotion
Notice the last line of our featured verse. Imagine a scenario where your child comes in famished and says to you, “I’m starving! May I have a slice of bread?” Would your response be to give him a stone? Of course not! Most of us, upon seeing his weariness, would offer to prepare for our child an entire meal. God does the same, and even more so.
We’ve all probably gone to God multiple times, knocking on His door and asking Him to answer our prayer for ourselves or on behalf of others, yet feel as though He doesn’t even hear us. We must remember that sometimes when we go to Him and fervently ask for something, He knows that what we are seeking is not His best. Therefore, He may answer with, “My child, it is in the works,” or “I have something so much better for you. Trust me.” Even though we may feel He is not answering, He is either working on it, awaiting the right time, or preparing something better. We need to wait in faith for the answer He is going to send.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Therefore, in the waiting, we should pursue a closeness to Him, and trust Him to work on our behalf or on behalf of those for whom we are praying.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
With my whole heart, I offer up praise and thanksgiving to You, my creator and sustainer. Lord, when I don’t see Your answers on behalf of those I love, please help me to remember that You are at work in their lives and the best results will come to fruition, as I trust in You and continue asking, seeking, and knocking on their behalf. As I await answers to the prayers I’ve prayed for myself, help me to trust that You are answering my request with what You know is best. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
In your journal, jot down each request for which you are awaiting an answer from God. Pray over them daily, offering up thanksgiving for the answers that He is preparing and allow Him to renew your strength and faith.
Reading through the New Testament: Today’s reading - Acts 11-20
21-Day Fasting Journey with Jentezen Franklin
God did not call us to understand, He called us to believe. I had 3 miscarriages before my daughter. During my 3rd pregnancy things weren’t looking good and I prayed fervently that my baby would survive. God spoke to me and said “You will have your baby girl”. That baby did not survive but 18 months latter I had my beautiful baby girl and named her Arabella, which means answered prayer.