March 19

Three Thoughts

Ask. Seek. Knock. To me that means: Don't give up. Jesus doesn't say to ask once and wait on him. He said keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. We shouldn't be concerned that we are annoying him, instead we should put our trust in the fact that he hears us and cares.

MATTHEW 7:7-8

God isn't holding things back from you just for fun. When he says, "ask and it will be given," he means it. But sometimes the giving isn't on our timeline or in the way that we expect it to come. Keep asking anyway. The answer will always be exactly what you need.

LUKE 11:9-10

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful. He doesn't ask us to be perfect, he wants us to be righteous. And that's you, covered in Christ's righteousness. Your prayers have power because of who you are praying to and what Jesus has done. Never underestimate the power of your simple prayers.

JAMES 5:16

Two Quotes

Evangelist Billy Graham on prayer:

"To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees."

Author E.M. Bounds on prayers that change the world:

"God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be."

Prayer

Dear God, today I'm asking for a new passion for prayer. Give me the courage to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, even when I don't see the results as I expect them. I trust that you hear me and are working in my life. Help me not to give up.

Question

What prayer have you stopped praying because you got tired of waiting? What would it look like to start knocking again?

See you next Thursday,
Zach

P.S. This week I made the greatest sheet-pan nachos ever for my dad’s birthday party. Here’s the recipe!