Thursday November 10, 2022

Today is Thursday, November 10 and we are studying the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter seven.

As I begin this time of prayer, I focus myself upon the God who loves me. My heavenly Father calls me close to His side for a quiet and intimate conversation.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, speak to me about the Kingdom of Heaven and teach me how to live a life of love. I sit at Your feet listening to the words from the Sermon on the Mount longing for Your voice to permeate my soul. Amen.

In the morning I call on the Lord my God and pray to Him with the words of Psalm 17.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:6-8

Pause and Pray

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his followers to pray and provides an image of God as a loving father who is willing and eager to answer the requests of his children. A disciple can come to his or her Father in heaven in full confidence expecting to receive good things. My God is a good and loving Father who knows my very needs, wants to answer my prayers and longs to give me good gifts.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11

These wonderful promises of Jesus lift my heart to pray more earnestly this morning. What parent would respond to a child’s request for food with something that was useless or harmful? A parent wants to feed their children and longs to give them the very best things possible – what is good, nutritious, delicious, and satisfying. If I recognize a need in my life, have concern over the uncertainty of the future, or am experiencing anxiety or fear, all I need to do is stop and pray. I can ask, seek and knock on the door of my loving God in prayer. He is always at home.

Ask: What situation in my life should I pray about today? What is the sustenance I hunger for and can ask God to provide?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank You for Your promises and encouragement to pray. Help me to connect with the deep-seated needs of my heart, body, mind and spirit. I have requests that only You are able to meet and deficiencies that only You are able to supply. I turn in prayer to You today, asking in faith for what I need the most. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Today God is speaking to me about the state of my prayer life. Whatever word or image strikes me from today’s portion of the Sermon on the Mount, I record it in my prayer journal and will carry it with me throughout my day seeking to gain a deeper understanding from the Holy Spirit. I will not hesitate to ask, seek and knock.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, You see me for who I truly am, understand the deepest desires of my heart and know the needs of my soul. I bring my requests before You this morning and lay my supplications at the foot of Your throne. I trust You with everything and surrender my day completely to You. I wait patiently and expectantly for the good gifts I know you want to provide me. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14

I leave this time of prayer thankful for the listening ear of my Father in heaven. I go to be a beacon of hope and love in a dark world.

Amen