Encouragement

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Opening Doors
(Three keys to answered prayer)

“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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened". (Matthew 7:7-12)

Which of you, if his 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! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Today’s eWord is a reminder that nothing begins to happen in the spiritual realm until we open our mouths and purposefully pray! While teaching His disciples about prayer, Jesus gave them three simple keys to spiritual victory.

1) Ask in faith: It is true that God knows our thoughts and discerns the deepest places of our hearts. However, too many people pray a quick “Let Your will be done”, without specifically declaring their heart’s desires and intentions before the Lord. Some of us may never even pray about the issues in our lives, believing that God will take care of it if He wants to. Jesus explained that we have to make a request in order to receive a response; we have to look for something in order to find it; and a closed door will only be opened for us to go through if we knock first from the outside. None of us would adopt such a casual “Que sera” attitude towards the things of the world, our finances, relationships, etc. We would never assume someone would know what we wanted and wait for them to meet our expectations; but we do this with our Father God. And when you ask, believe! The very act of asking is an expression of our faith for a response and the Father’s heart delights in our faith. It means we take Him at His Word and believe it is true. Jesus is calling us to be purposeful, faith-filled, and focused with our prayers. He says “Ask and you will receive”!

2) Believe that the Father desires to bless His kids. All you parents would know what a joy it is to make your children happy. We constantly strive to meet and even exceed their expectations. Surprising them with more than what they requested is always such a thrill because we love to indulge our kids! Jesus reminds us today that the heart of God the Father flows with love and grace; He delights in His kids (Psalm 147:11, Psalm 37:23, Zephaniah 3:17). He loves to indulge them! He loves to see them prosper. He wants them whole, healed, blessed in every aspect of their lives, and walking in victory in the power of His name. Just as parents would not give something bad to their children, our Father God only gives “good gifts” to His. James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” God never changes His mind; He never gives us anything but the best. Sickness, poverty, disunity and depression are not from the Father of the heavenly lights.

3) Be in right relationship with other people in your life. Jesus said “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Relational divisions can be the biggest hindrance to answered prayer. We cannot expect God to do something for us which we refuse to do for someone else. Forgiveness, encouragement, love, mercy, and whatever we could practically and possibly give or do for another – do it with a glad heart, and see it multiplied into your life as you go to the Father in prayer. Many of us may be interceding for the salvation of loved ones, or engaging in spiritual warfare over nations and cities, and wondering why there is no breakthrough, or why the backlash is so heavy. We need to put right those relationships which have been broken, or give or seek forgiveness from another. This is a key that can even open territorial doors, as we pray in faith, and in the name of Jesus.

Finally precious people, let me leave you with Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”, and Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” May all your dreams come to pass! May God grant you all the righteous desires of your heart, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

Minoli Haththotuwa
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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