The A.S.K Principle

Key Scripture:

Matthew 7:11 (KJV)   If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

SUMMARY

This sermon note is a study on how a believer ought to pray. Jesus teaches through this parable recorded in Luke chapter 11, how we must pray and receive the things He has in store for us.

SERMON POINTS

The A.S.K Principle of Prayer

Matthew 7:11 (KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Our Lord Jesus expounds on the principle of prayer as He teaches His disciples what we call as the Lord’s prayer. In the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, we see the A.S.K (ask, seek, knock ) principle mentioned.

This is part of the Beatitudes, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The disciples saw Jesus as a man of prayer and they asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus teaches them the Lord’s Prayer and tells them a parable that makes the prayer principle easier to practice.

Jesus talks about a man who knocks on the door of his friend at midnight, asking 3 loaves of bread, for another friend who came to him on a long journey.

Here are 3 friends. One who is in need, one who has the means to fulfill his need and another who has nothing to give but is ready to go to any extent to help this friend in need.

Similarly when our prayer life is evaluated, there are 3 people involved. One who has a need that they cannot see a solution to, our Lord God who can meets every need and an intercessor who is ready to take the requests of others to the Lord in prayer.

How we can implement the A.S.K principle in prayer

1. Identify the Need

 Luke 11:5,6 (KJV) And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

 The key person in this parable is the man who goes to his friend to ask the loaves of bread for another friend. He identified the need. There was a need and it was not for himself. Yet he took it upon himself to meet the friend’s need. Though he had nothing, he goes the extra mile to help.

This is the character we must hold in prayer. We have to move from the level of praying for ourselves to praying for other’s requests. There are people in our neighborhoods, workplaces and family who are in need. We need to rise up, identify those and take it to the Lord in prayer who is the only one who can meet all our needs, just like the friend who had the loaves of bread. Prayer begins when we identify the need.

2. Take Responsibility

 Luke 11:9 (KJV)  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

 We are called to be that compassionate friend. He took the responsibility of feeding his friend who came to him on a long journey. He could have easily explained his situation of not having any food to set before him. Instead he goes out of his comfort to fulfill the need. This also points to the Jewish hospitality. Their homes were open to everyone in need. A true Jew was marked by his compassion, sense of shame and his urge to do kind deeds. Notice it is not his problem but that of another he takes upon himself. We need to take responsibility to pray for our people, our nation and community. The Lord has entrusted them into our hands for a purpose. The world is knocking at our door with its needs. We must take up the mantle of prayer on their behalf. God is looking for intercessors.

 

3. Run to Jesus

 Luke 11:8 (KJV) I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

 Like the famous hymn says, “…take it to the Lord in prayer”. We fail when we think we have all the answers. Prayer always works. When we pray, we receive it all from our Father in Heaven. The friend boldly goes at an unconventional time asking for bread. The Bible, further tells us that seeing his perseverance to his friend’s need fulfilled, the man will open his door and give him how much ever he needs. That is our Lord Jesus when we pray with perseverance, asking Him even when there is silence, seeking constantly, the door shall be opened to us as well. All that we have received up until now is through prayer. Therefore, let us boldly approach our Lord.

4. Receive good things from the Father

 Luke 11:10 (KJV) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

We are in such evil times. At such a time we can only receive good things from our Heavenly Father. The midnight in the parable stands for evil times, just as the one we are in. It is time that we ask, are we, as a family and community functioning as God’s kingdom wherever we are placed. Many are struggling in debt, sickness and other desperate situations; only you and I driven by the Holy Spirit can speak life to them. Jesus Christ is our friend who is able to give us all the good things we need when we approach him in prayer, by asking, seeking and knocking. This is God’s promise for every one who asks receive, those who seek shall find and to the one who knocks the door shall be opened. 

CONCLUSION.

Job 16:21 “O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!”

The principle of prayer always works; but we need to be people of prayer to see its results. The ASK principle in prayer will help you develop an intense and audacious prayer life as the nations battle coronavirus. Good things come from the presence of the Lord. Prayer is the way in which we can redeem God’s earth for His purposes.