The GOAT Part 11: Ask, Seek, Knock

Heading into our eleventh week of THE GOAT, the Greatest Sermon of All Time, Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God with bold prayers: 

“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, NIV)

I love that Jesus invites us to pray boldly and persistently, but if I’m honest, waiting for God to act can get tiring. And sometimes the Lord’s answers look different than I expect or come more slowly than I want. Can you relate?

Author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer explains, “Whether God moves is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability.  What He does is His business.  Believing that He can is our business.”¹ Praying expectantly is hard work when we try to do it on our own strength.  Below are a six keys I’ve learned over the years that will help you persevere:

1. Keep Your Eyes on God Instead of the Answer You Seek: It’s natural to fixate on the outcome we want. However, praising the Lord shouldn’t be dependent on our circumstances–He deserves our worship regardless. Focusing on all Jesus has done for you brings peace that isn’t dependent upon your situation or a particular answer you’re seeking.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV)

2. Maintain an Eternal Perspective: Sometimes we forget this world is not our permanent home. That’s why it’s helpful to take a step back and see your situation from a broader perspective when you’re feeling discouraged. As followers of Jesus, we’re just passing through here on our way to being with God forever. Take a look at the content of your prayers and ask yourself “In the light of eternity, how much does this really matter?” The answer to this question may change the focus of your requests.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

3. Remember that God Does Things His Way, Not Ours: It’s easy to focus so much on the outcome we want that we miss the ways God is already at work in our lives. Instead of praying for Him to perform according to our expectations, let’s remember God is sovereign and give Him room to work in the way He sees best. 

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.“  (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)

4. Focus on Gratitude: When we’re praying about a specific situation, we tend to forget all the things God has done or is doing in our lives.  It builds our faith and trust in the Lord to thank Him for what He’s already done. We can even thank God for how He is working behind the scenes while we wait.  In all circumstances, there is something for which we can thank God.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

5. Pray for Strength and Confidence as You Wait: It’s ok to be honest in prayer and admit that we’re struggling or weary. Instead of giving up, ask the Lord to restore your strength, confidence, and hope in Him. Beyond this, we can pray He’ll show us what He wants us to learn while we wait. 

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-4, NIV)

6. Let Others Encourage You: It’s easier to wait when we have company. Ask a trusted friend to pray with you. Inviting others to join us in prayer keeps us from getting bitter and helps us to stay hopeful.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV)

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. (Hebrews 3:12-14, NIV)

Which one of these keys would benefit you most right now? Is there someone else you know that could be encouraged by this post? How about sharing it? And if you’re looking for a place to get plugged in, I’ll be studying my new book Extraordinary Prayer with women at CPC Danville this fall. I’d love to see you there. Click here for more information.

Need some encouragement as you wait? Let Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust in You” help you regain your focus. Click here to watch.

1. Faithful, Abundant, True Bible Study, by Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer & Lori Looney, Lifeway Press, 2010, (p.94). 

This post complements Tyler Scott’s sermon “The GOAT Part 11” at CPC Danville. Click here to view.