We have been looking at how to pray according to what Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 – 11 and corresponding Scripture in Luke 11:9 – 13. There are three pairs of actions and results with gradation in urgency, and that reinforce each other. We are to ask for things which are consistent for God to give us, i.e., what He has promised, what is best for us, and His glory. God gives good gifts according to His will and for our good. We are to seek with a proper spirit; with humility, sincerity, and perseverance.
The third pair of actions and results say to knock, and the door will be opened. We are to continue to pray until the door is opened to us. Prayer is to be ongoing, importunate, or persistent, (Luke 18:1-8) until we receive the promise, God answers it, or He directs us to pray differently, trusting that the Father will give us the right answer, at the right time and is for our good!
Jesus tells the parable of a friend coming to a neighbor’s house at midnight and, through perseverance, receives his request.
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” Luke 11:5 – 8 (NKJV)
Jesus then proceeds to instruct us on how to receive from the Father in prayer (Luke 11:9-13). Faith is a key that opens the door in prayer, believing that we will receive what we need. Another key to receiving answers to our prayers is to ask the Father to forgive our sins and to forgive others (Luke 11:4).
Knocking on a door is for admittance. Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts, waiting for us to invite Him in.
Jesus is the door of the sheep, and He gives us access to the Father’s sheepfold (John 10:7-9; 16). We are His sheep, and He is our Shepherd (John 10:1-30).
Salvation comes through Him by the finished work of the cross. He paid the full price for our sins by His death on the cross when He shed His blood and gave us His righteousness. He was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father. A man has to open the door to his heart. He decides to accept or reject the invitation Jesus is extending to him. When we invite Jesus in, He comes in, and we have fellowship with Him.
How do we know or hear His knocking? We hear His voice through the Holy Spirit, who convicts us of sin in our spirit and conscience, by God’s protective care or providence and goodness, His written or spoken Word and His love. These all draw us to Jesus. When we open the door, Jesus will come in and save us; this is the Gospel! If you don’t open the door of your heart to Jesus, you can’t enter heaven for He is the only way in (Luke 13:23-30; Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13).
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)
If you have not invited Jesus into your heart to be your Savior, you can do that now. Having a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ is the first step to getting your prayers answered! I want to give you this opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray this suggested prayer out loud right now. You can also pray in your own words. Remember, it is not words or prayer alone that will save you. Prayer is a way to reach out to the Lord and must be done in faith (completely trusting in Him to save you). Christ will save you if you pray these or similar words in faith.
Heavenly Father,
Your Word says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. I ask You to forgive me for my sins. I want to turn from them and turn to You. I am calling on You and ask Jesus to come into my heart to be my Savior and Lord over my life. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your healing power in my life. I now belong to You. Help me to live for You and obey You all the days of my life.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
If you just prayed this prayer, Welcome to God’s Family! Go to my website at https://alexiscarucci.com, and under the menu, you will find this document giving you steps to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Once we open the door to Jesus, we have access and relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell within us. Dawna De Silva discusses in her book “Sozo Saved/Healed/Delivered” that we need to know the love, protection, and provision of the Father. He has not left us as orphans, but we have become His children. Getting to know the Holy Spirit brings nurturing, instruction and comfort.1
The Lord would say to you today, “Do not be discouraged, for I am not a man that I should lie. My Word is true, and I will bring it to pass. Don’t grow weary or fainthearted for My Word will come to pass in your life as I have spoken; Ask and you will receive, Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened unto you. Seek Me with all of your heart, and you will find Me. Seek My righteousness and My kingdom and all the things that you need will be given to you. As your day is, so shall your strength be. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Remember, My grace is sufficient for you, and I know what you have need of. I will provide it for you. Come, come to Me and receive all that you need.
Thank you, Lord, for that Word. Thank you for that Word of encouragement.
I pray that you would take to heart what the Lord has said and take it before Him and remind Him of His Word. He says to do that, to remind Him of His Word (Isaiah 43:26; Psalm 105:8). He has even said in His Word that before we have finished praying, He has heard us and is bringing the answer (Isaiah 65:24). Remember, Daniel, who prayed and it was 21 days before he received the answer because there was opposition from the enemy. The enemy is a defeated foe. Jesus Christ is the victor and we are to enforce Christ’s victory by speaking God’s Word and pray God’s Word over our situation and our lives.
Join me next week as we look at open doors and what Jesus says about them (Revelation 3:7-8).
Reference
1 De Silva, Dawna and Liebscher, Teresa. (2016). Sozo Saved/Healed/Delivered. Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc.
Living the Abundant Life 