Ask, and it shall be given you, and seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you - Matthew 7:7. This is the promise of God, but many fail to ask and receive as they should. And what could be the cause and the solution to this challenge? This article is geared towards answering this question.
It is a common thing for Christians to wonder whether God still answers prays, and if He does, why does it seem as if He answers only some people. Christians need to realise that you don't learn how to pray by praying. You need to find out 'the how', if you are to receive from God always. The disciples of Jesus realised this and asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). God longs to answer all our prayers, that's why He said emphatically, "ask and it SHALL be given you". Now,
How to ask and receive
1. Know what you want.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, what wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight - Mark 10:51 (KJV) [Emphasis is mine]. God truly knows our needs but He wants us to specifically tell Him what we want Him to do for us. The blind man didn't ask for money, so Jesus didn't give him money but gave him exactly what he wanted, which was his sight back.
2. What does God say about your want
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified - Isaiah 43:26 (KJV). God listens for His Words in pray. For you to ask and receive from God always, you need to pray God's words. So search out what God says concerning that want or desire of yours before you pray.
3. Meditate and believe the scripture
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success - Joshua 1:8 (KJV). Meditation enables you to truly believe and act on Gods word. It makes the scriptures real to you and helps you not to doubt no matter the challenge you may be facing.
4. Come boldly
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16 (KJV). God is your loving father, so go to Him boldly in prayers. He is not a tyrant. He actually enjoys fellow-shipping with His children and loves blessing them.
5. Enter with thanksgiving and praise
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name - Psalm 100:4 (KJV). This is an important step on how to pray to receive from God always. No matter how pressing the issue may be or how much you cry, you can't enter God's presence without thanksgiving and praise. They are the only way to get God's attention.
6. Ask according to God's word
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us - 1 John 5:14 (KJV). For God to hear you and then answer, you need to pray in line with the scriptures you have meditated on concerning your desire. Also, you must ensure that there is nothing that will hinder your prayers, for example unforgiveness. And of course you must pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 16:23)
7. Believe you receive
Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them - Mark 11:24 (KJV) This may be the hard part but it is the proof of your faith. You have to believe that God has answered you even before the physical manifestation of the answer. For you to ask and receive from God always, it is "believing is seeing" and "not seeing is believing".
8. End with thanksgiving and praise
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen - Matthew 6:13 (KJV). Thanksgiving and praise at the end is also an expression of your faith that God has answered you. Always start and end with praise and thanksgiving.
9. Declare what you believe
For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith - Mark 11:23 (KJV). Now, that you are through with your prayers, there is need for you to start declaring that, that issue is settled. People may mock you but as you refuse to give up your confession, the same people will surely return to witness the physical manifestation of your answer.
10. Be patient and stand in faith
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise - Hebrews 10:36 (KJV). Our timing sometimes is not the same with God's timing. Therefore, there is need for us to wait patiently for our desired answer to come. Also, majority of the time, the enemy will try to stop the answer from coming. This is why you must not quit believing until you receive your answer. Remember Abraham didn't quit believing until he received the promise (Isaac) 25 years after the promise was made to him.
Can someone ask and receive from God always? Yes, if the person knows how to pray. As you follow the above steps, your desires are sure to speedily come to you. Hey, God is waiting for you to come boldly and make your request known unto Him. Do so today.
About the Author
Ngozi Nwoke Is a teacher and a counselor. She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love and christian living for more fulfilling life. Want more fulfilling life? subscribe for free email updates today. http://stepswithgod.com
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