Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[Transcript of Martin’s Midweek Message published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube^[1], 18/Jun/2025]

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7 v7-8 [NIVUK]

How many times have you prayed for something and felt like nothing happened? It’s easy to get discouraged when prayers seem unanswered but in Matthew 7 v7-8 it reminds us ‘ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened’.

One of the most powerful real life examples of persistent prayer comes from the story of George Müller, a 19^th century Christian who cared for thousands of orphans in Bristol. Müller never asked people directly for money, he simply prayed. Day after day he brought the orphans’ needs to God and there were times when there was no food left and nothing seemed to be coming but he kept praying.

On one occasion with no breakfast and no money Müller gathered the children and prayed, thanking God for the food he would provide. Moments later a baker knocked on the door saying he felt prompted to bring bread, then the milk cart broke down outside. offering its contents before the milk spoiled.

See God hears our prayers: sometimes the answer is ‘yes’, sometimes the answer is ‘no’ and sometimes it’s ‘wait’. The key is persistence. Don’t give up – keep asking, seeking and knocking. God promises that he will respond, his timing is perfect even when we don’t understand it. Keep praying.

God’s answers are always worth the wait.

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[1] YouTube link: Promises for the Faithful #3
Previous message: Promises for the Faithful #2, 11/Jun/2025

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