The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of July 10
Pray faithfully; pray selflessly; pray without doubt.
Our verse today is found in Matthew 7, in which Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus didn’t give a sermon on the Gospel, but rather preached on principles to which we as believers should hold fast.
Matthew 7:8 can often be taken out of context and interpreted in ways Jesus did not intend. People can twist this verse’s meaning to imply that God will grant us everything we ask of Him. Our prayers can quickly turn into selfish wishes if we read this verse the wrong way. God wants us to pray for things we want and need, but we should pray those prayers selflessly and in faith.
In chapter 6, Jesus teaches us the Lord’s Prayer and thereby gives us a model of how we should pray. Verse 7 says, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” He wants us to be intentional with our prayers and not fill them with empty words to add flowery sentiments. God already knows what we want before we ask or tell Him!
When we seek His kingdom of righteousness and proclaim His sovereign authority, He will hear and answer our prayers. When we are consistent and deliberate with our prayers, the more God works in our lives.
Let’s thank the Lord that we can turn to Him in prayer during our trials and tribulations—instead of relying on our own strength.