Prayer (in the form of supplication) is pleasing to God's ear because it expresses an understanding of your utter dependence on Him. In return, He gives three precious promises that make obedience to His perfect will possible ...
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. Matthew 7:7-8
Sanctification manifests itself in the life of a believer when he exercises the imperatives mentioned above. Notice that the words 'ask', 'seek', and 'knock' are in the present tense ... stressing the persistence and sincerity required.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
1. Ask - is to make a humble (sometimes urgent) plea or entreaty. 'Asking' displays one's faith that God will answer ... He always does.
2. Seek - is an action. 'Seeking' requires rearranging your priorities so that you can diligently search for something ... God blesses that effort.
3. Knock - is even greater in intensity. 'Knocking' implies an unrelenting petitioning in the face of difficulty or resistance ... Entrance is given.
Interestingly, you can 'ask and receive', you can 'seek and find', but you cannot both 'knock and open' ... the Lord Himself opens the door.
These promises are based on 'trust' ... Without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
May your relationship with Christ be evident in the promises He keeps.
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