Daily Devotional
Why Do We Pray?
“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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
January 25, 2023
Ponder This
Why do we pray? To invite God to be a part of our lives so we can delight ourselves in the Lord. The Bible says there in 2 Corinthians 6:1 that we are, “Workers together with Him.” God loves us so much that He gives us the privilege of participating in His kingdom work through prayer.
God can work without our prayers, but we cannot work without God, and it is prayer that leads us to depend upon Him. God does not want us to live lives independent of Him. If God simply blessed us without our asking, what would that do? That would teach us to live life independently from God. But Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). God wants you to abide with Him. That’s the reason He has taught us to pray; to invite Him to take control of our lives.
The devil cannot keep God from answering. So, what will he do? He will endeavor to keep you from asking. But our Lord in today’s passage says, “Ask, seek, and knock.”
- What kind of things do you pray about? What things do you not pray about?
- Who do you know who lives as an example of someone who abides in Christ? How do you observe them doing this?
Practice This
Consider some things you do not pray about enough. Bring those matters to God in prayer today.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
