July 10 – Day 191. Pray, Ask, Seek, And Knock

Welcome to another episode of the EBC's Prayer Podcast. Our scripture will be taken from Matthew 7:7-8, which reads: “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.” 

The Lord is always available, and he is assuring us that when we ask, the answers we seek will be granted to us; when we seek, we will discover what we are searching for, and when we knock, the doors of opportunity will be opened wide for us. 

As we pray, let us ask, seek, and knock. So we can receive what we desire, discover the paths we have been seeking, and find new possibilities and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Transcript

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Lord, God, and Savior. Father, we bow before you with our hearts full of gratitude, reverence, and thanksgiving for another opportunity to gather before you in prayer. Thank you for reminding us to “ask, and it will be given to us; seek, and we will find; knock, and the door will be opened to us.” Father, we cling to the comforting truth that our prayers, offered in sincerity and desperation, are never in vain. The cries of our hearts do not vanish into the void; rather, they ascend to your heavenly throne, echoing in your ears as you listen with love and compassion.

Father, help us to pray for boldness, not rooted in our own merit, but anchored in your nature: a loving, gracious, and merciful God whose delight is in showering good gifts upon his children. In those moments when life becomes a tumultuous sea of overwhelming challenges and heavy burdens, we often find ourselves at a loss for words. Lord, when worries stack like unending waves, and our strength feels barely sufficient, we take solace in the profound assurance that even during our hours of silence, your spirit is there to intercede for us, presenting our needs and fears through groanings too deep for words. Thank you for understanding the depths of our souls, especially when we struggle to articulate our anguish. We are grateful for your unfailing patience with us in our moments of weakness and for the gentle embrace that lifts us when we stumble.

Father, we are praying not solely for the blessings you provide, but for who you are. You are our refuge, our unwavering strength, and our ever-present help in times of trouble. Lord, we ask for your guidance as we navigate through the uncertain paths of life. Even when the journey ahead seems shrouded in doubt or when fear dimly clouds our vision, we long for your direction to illuminate our way. Help us to lean not on our own limited understanding, but in all our ways, acknowledge you, allowing your wisdom to straighten our paths. Grant us the courage to follow you wherever you lead, even if the road ahead is long or fraught with difficulties. Give us steadfast hearts that trust in your plan, knowing you walk alongside us every step of the way.

Lord, today we are knocking at the doors of your boundless mercy. With hearts full of hope, we seek your healing touch where sickness lingers, your soothing presence where turmoil resides, your generous provision in times of need, and your reconciling spirit where division has taken root. We knock on the door of your infinite wisdom, yearning for guidance on how to live with integrity, to love selflessly without reservation, and to serve others joyfully, even in small acts that reflect your grace. We place our trust in you, confident that when we knock, you are faithful to open wide the door, and what you open, no one can close.

Father, we are praying for the strength to submit to your divine will. There are moments when we struggle against our own desires, yearning for immediate answers or grappling with the challenges of the seasons you allow us to traverse. We take great comfort in the truth that your plans transcend our own, your timing is always perfect, and your love for us runs deeper than we can ever comprehend. Teach us to find rest in your promises, to release our anxieties into your caring hands, and to walk boldly by faith, trusting in what we cannot see.

Lord, remember our families, friends, and communities in prayer. We ask that you envelop each of us in your protective embrace, bringing tranquility to places steeped in conflict, delivering justice where oppression holds sway, and igniting compassion in hearts that have grown cold and distant. May your kingdom come and your will be realized on Earth as it is in the heavens above.

Lord, as we draw this prayer to a close, may our lives mirror the love you have so freely given, and may our hearts remain unwavering in the assurance that you hear our cries, that your presence surrounds us, and that you will provide faithfully according to your perfect plan. We place our trust in you. 

In the powerful, precious, and reassuring name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray…Amen.

Everyone. Please have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow…Bye-bye.