Մատթեոսում 7:7-8 եւ Ղուկաս 11:9-10 Հիսուսն ասաց, Հարցրեք, եւ դա ձեզ կտրվի; որոնել, եւ կգտնեք; թակոց, եւ այն կբացվի ձեզ համար: որովհետեւ ով խնդրում է, ստանում է; եւ նա, ով փնտրում է գտնում; Եվ նրան, ով թակում է այն, կբացվի. Jesus promised that everyone who asks (prays) shall be given. That everyone who seeks shall find. And everyone who knocks shall be opened. But why do many Christians don’t get what they ask for and don’t find what they are looking for and keep standing in front of a closed door? What do Christians ask and seek, and at whose door are they knocking?
God is not a God, who keeps silent and hides Himself
Ի have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right (Եսայիա 45:19)
Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, և Նրա Հոգին, hath sent me. Այսպես է ասում Տերը, քո Քավիչը, Իսրայելի Սուրբը; Ես եմ քո Տեր Աստվածը, որ սովորեցնում եմ քեզ օգուտ քաղել, which leads thee by the way that thou shouldest go (Եսայիա 48:16-17)
God is not a God, Who keeps silent and hides Himself. But God is only silent and hidden to those, who don’t seek His face.
God has not forsaken His children. He has not left His children desolate. But many of God’s children have forsaken the Lord and made themselves desolate.
God has revealed Himself and has given His Word and Holy Spirit. But in whom do His Word and His Holy Spirit live?
Who reads and studies the Bible and knows what is written in God’s Word? And who knows Jesus Christ and the will of God and do His will in his life?
Who spends time with the Father in prayer? And if someone prays, what does the person pray?
Not Thy will, but my will be done
Does the person set time apart and take the time to pray and pray from the Spirit according to the will of God? Or does the person pray quickly a short selfish prayer from his prideful and unrepented heart according to the will, ցանկություններ, and desires of his flesh?
Does the person only approach God to make his will known to Him and go over his wishlist and give God the commandment to execute his will? Because that’s what the prayer life of many Christians looks like.
Many Christians only approach God, when they need something from Him instead of approaching God because they love Him and they desire to spend time with Him, ճիշտ այնպես, ինչպես Հիսուսը, Who spent a lot of time with the Father in secret. Not to receive something from Him. But because Jesus loved His Father (Կարդացեք նաև: Հավատացյալի գաղտնի աղոթքի կյանքը).
Հիսուսի աղոթքի կյանքը
Ահաւասիկ, Ես նրան տվել եմ որպես վկա ժողովրդին, Առաջնորդ և Հրամանատար՝ ժողովրդին. Ահաւասիկ, Դու կկանչես մի ազգ, որին չես ճանաչում, և այն ազգերը, որոնք չեն ճանաչում քեզ, կվազեն քեզ մոտ՝ քո Տեր Աստծո պատճառով, և Իսրայելի Սուրբի համար; քանզի Նա փառավորեց քեզ. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Որովհետև Իմ մտքերը ձեր մտքերը չեն, ոչ էլ ձեր ճանապարհներն են իմ ճանապարհները, ասում է Տերը. Որովհետև ինչպես երկինքն է երկրից բարձր, այնպես որ իմ ճանապարհները ձեր ճանապարհներից բարձր են, և Իմ մտքերը, քան քո մտքերը (Եսայիա 55:4-9)
Jesus was faithful and spent a lot of time with His Father. He sought God’s face continually. Jesus sought His Father in everything. Because of that Jesus knew the will, the thoughts, and the ways of His Father.
The prayers of Jesus didn’t revolve around Himself and His earthly life. But His prayers revolved around God and His Kingdom and doing His will
His whole life, Jesus lived in submission and obedience to the will of the Father. And fulfilled the will of God in His life.
Because this was the most important thing in Jesus’ life, and through His obedience, He spoke the words of the Father, պահեց Նրա պատվիրանները, doing the works and the will of the Father, Jesus was the reflection of God on earth. Jesus showed and manifested God’s holiness, Աստծո արդարությունը, God’s power, and God’s love to the people and manifested God’s Kingdom on earth.
Was the will of Jesus always equal to the will of the Father?
They came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, և դիտիր. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, Եթե դա հնարավոր լիներ, the hour might pass from Him. Եվ Նա ասաց, Աբբա, Հայրիկ, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt (նշագծել 14:32-36)
Jesus knew the purpose of His coming to earth. Jesus often spoke about His sufferings, մեռնող, Եվ հարությունը մեռելներից. He knew when this would take place. Jesus knew when He would be delivered into the hands of sinners. Because the Father had revealed this to His Son. Եվ դեռ, Jesus asked the Father a peculiar question.
Before Jesus was betrayed and taken captive and tortured and crucified, Jesus went with His disciples to Gethsemane.
Jesus took Peter, Ջեյմս, and John with Him to pray and was sore amazed, and very heavy.
The soul of Jesus was exceeding sorrowful unto death. When Jesus fell on the ground, Jesus prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from Him.
Հիսուսն ասաց, Աբբա, Հայրիկ, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt.
After one hour of prayer, Jesus stood up. He went to His disciples, who had fallen asleep. Because they were not able to watch and pray for one hour with Jesus. (Կարդացեք նաև: Միսը չի կարող աղոթել)
Instead of quitting after one hour of prayer and leaving the garden with His disciples, He returned. Jesus returned to the place, where He had kneeled and prayed before. Since Jesus was entangled in a spiritual battle that had not finished yet. (Կարդացեք նաև: Ճակատամարտը պարտեզում).
“Աբբա, Հայրիկ, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt”
Jesus prayed again the same question. He asked, that if it would be possible, the cup would be taken away from Him. Nevertheless not His will but the will of the Father be done.
During His prayer, an angel from heaven appeared unto Jesus. The angel strengthened Jesus, whereby Jesus received the answer to His question. Because it was the will of the Father for Jesus to drink the cup.
After the angel strengthened Jesus, Jesus was in agony and prayed more earnestly. Հիսուս’ sweat became, Ինչպես եղավ, great drops of blood falling upon the ground. Jesus had a severe spiritual battle unto blood to fight. Բայց ի վերջո, Jesus overcame the battle between the Spirit and the soul.
And after the crucifixion of the soul, Jesus arose and executed the will of His Father. (Մեթյու 26:36-46, նշագծել 14:32-42 եւ Ղուկաս 22:39-46 (Կարդացեք նաև: Հոգու խաչելություն).
Not My will, բայց քո կամքը թող լինի!
Jesus prayed persistently and spent hours in prayer to seek God’s face and His will. And the Father didn’t leave His question unanswered, but He answered the question of His Son. Այնուամենայնիվ, the answer of the Father was not according to the will of His Son. But the answer was according to the will of the Father.
Instead of rebelling against His Father and walking away and doing His own will and going His own way, Jesus submitted to the word and the will of the Father.
And in obedience to the will of the Father, Jesus began His way of suffering. The way that meant torture(ս) and the death to Jesus. But it was the way that led to the redemption of (ընկած) humanity and the reconciliation of man with God.
Հարցրեք, եւ դա ձեզ կտրվի, Փնտրեք եւ կգտնեք, թակոց եւ այն կբացվի ձեզ համար
Եվ նա ասաց նրանց, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, և ասա նրան, Ընկեր, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Ես ասում եմ ձեզ, 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.
Եվ ես ասում եմ ձեզ, Հարցրեք, եւ դա ձեզ կտրվի; որոնել, եւ կգտնեք; թակոց, եւ այն կբացվի ձեզ համար. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, Արդյոք նա նրան քար կտա? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? Եթե դու այդ ժամանակ, Չար լինելը, Իմացեք, թե ինչպես լավ նվերներ հաղորդել ձեր երեխաներին: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Ղուկաս 11:5-13)
Jesus didn’t pray short quick prayers. But Jesus prayed persistently. And Jesus made this principle of persistent prayer known to His disciples. He also made the nature and the will of the Father known to His disciples. Jesus taught His disciples that the Father always answers. The Father is always found. And the Father always opens the door to all those, who come to Him and seek His face and ask, որոնել, and knock persistently.
Մատթեոսում 7:7-11 եւ Ղուկաս 11:5-13, the asking (աղոթելով), փնտրում, and knocking were related to the receiving of good things, which come from above (Ջեյմս 1:18), և Սուրբ Հոգին.
It was related to the things of the Kingdom of God and of Christ and the inheritance that believers have received in Christ and what they need to walk as sons of God (սա վերաբերում է և՛ տղամարդկանց, և՛ կանանց) as the new creation on earth and to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and represent, preach and establish God’s Kingdom on earth.
The fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit
Jesus had promised His disciples that the Father would give them the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples the commandment to stay in Jerusalem and to wait for the promise of the Father (Օ՜. Ջոն 14:15-26; 15:26-27, Գործք 1:4-8).
The disciples obeyed the commandment of Jesus and went to Jerusalem and waited in the upper room for the promise of the Father.
Վերին սենյակում, the disciples prayed in one accord persistently. Հարցրին, sought, and knocked, and due to their obedience to the words and commandments of Jesus and their determination and persistent prayer, they received the promise of the Father and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Կարդացեք նաև: Ե՞րբ եք ստանում Սուրբ Հոգին?).
The disciples had received the Spirit of power, սեր, and a sound mind, whereby they were able to boldly preach the gospel of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ, Աստծո Որդին, and to call the people to repentance and destroy the works of darkness and establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
They had received the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and to execute the commandment of Jesus and the work of God.
If anyone has not received the Holy Spirit and asks the Father for the Holy Spirit and prays, seeks, and knocks persistently, he or she shall receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given this promise to everyone, ով հավատում է, and all His promises are true and still apply.
If someone has a lack of knowledge (or another lack) and asks God in faith, it shall be given to him or her. (Օ՜. Ջեյմս 1:5-8).
These three elements of persistent prayer (asking), փնտրում, and knocking should be present in the lives of Christians. Just like Jesus prayed persistently, and sought God’s face. Jesus kept knocking until the door was opened and Jesus’ question was answered and He received what He sought.
You have not because you ask not
Where your heart goes out to, that’s what you want. And what you want, you shall ask (աղոթել). If you love the world, your heart shall go out to the things of this world. You shall pray for the things of this world for yourself instead of the things of God.
But if the love of God dwells in you and you love God with all your heart, your heart shall go out to Him and the things of God’s Kingdom. You shall ask the things of God, which are not only needed for yourself, but especially for others; for the preaching of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, the saving of souls, the growth and preservation of the Body of Christ and to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
That’s why James wrote, If you don’t have it, it’s because you don’t ask for it. And if you do ask, but you have not received it, it’s because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.
Հիսուսն ասաց, that you don’t have to worry about the things that the Gentiles seek. Since the Father knows what His children need, even before they have asked God for it. And God shall provide because God is a Provider. (Օ՜. Մեթյու 6:25-34).
But if you are still the old creation and are not spiritual but carnal and live like the Gentiles, who don’t belong to God but to the world, you shall want those things and ask those things, which the Gentiles want and are focused on, and you shall seek and desire them (Ջեյմս 4:1-5).
Օրինակ, if you love money, you focus on money. You shall pray (ask) out of your love of money and greed for money and material things. But if you love Jesus, you focus on Jesus. You shall pray out of that love and pray for (-ի իրերը) թագավորությունը.
Հետեւաբար, the question is, Who or what do you love, what Is your focus and what do you ask?
What do you ask?
Որովհետև ամբարիշտը պարծենում է իր սրտի ցանկությամբ, և օրհնում է ագահին, որին Տէրն ատում է. Չարերը, իր դեմքի հպարտությամբ, Աստծուն չի փնտրի: Աստված իր բոլոր մտքերում չէ. Նրա ճանապարհները միշտ ծանր են; քո դատաստանները նրա աչքից հեռու են: ինչպես նրա բոլոր թշնամիներին, նա փնթփնթում է նրանց վրա. Նա ասաց իր սրտում, Ես չեմ շարժվի: քանզի ես երբեք չեմ լինի դժբախտության մեջ.
Նրա բերանը լի է հայհոյանքներով, խաբեությամբ ու խարդախությամբ: նրա լեզվի տակ չարություն և ունայնություն կա. Նա նստում է գյուղերի թաքնված վայրերում: ծածուկ տեղերում նա սպանում է անմեղներին: նրա աչքերը թաքուն ուղղված են աղքատների դեմ. Նա ծածուկ դարան է դնում, ինչպես առյուծն իր որջում: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, երբ նա քաշում է նրան իր ցանցի մեջ (Սաղմոսներ 10:3-9)
If there has been a change of heart through regeneration in Christ, there shall be a change of prayer.
Instead of selfish carnal prayers that focuses on the things on earth and on establishing the will, ցանկություններ, եւ մարմնի ցանկությունները, believers pray selfless prayers from the Spirit that focus on Jesus and the will and the Kingdom of God.
Seek and you shall find
O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing (Սաղմոսներ 34:9-10)
Your heart determines your life; what you speak, ինչ եք անում, and how you live. The condition of your heart determines your focus and what you are looking for.
If Jesus is in you and your heart belongs to God and you love God with all your heart and fear God, you shall seek the Lord your God.
Because your heart wants to seek the Lord’s face. That’s your heart’s desire.
Դուք պետք է փնտրեք այդ բաները, որոնք վերևում են, որտեղ Քրիստոսը նստած է Հոր աջ կողմում.
But if you are not born again and your heart still belongs to the world and you love yourself and the world, you shall seek those things, որոնք երկրի վրա են. You shall desire the same things as the Gentiles, ովքեր չեն ճանաչում Աստծուն և չեն պատկանում Նրան.
If you are in Christ and Christ lives in you, you shall focus on the things above. You shall seek the Lord and find, what you are looking for. (Կարդացեք նաև: How do you know if Christ is in you?).
Knock and it shall be opened to you
An insecure give-up mentality has never made a profit. But assurance and determination have. Faith doesn’t give up but faith acts from trusting the Lord Jesus and the Father. Faith is determined and keeps knocking until the door is opened.
This faith and this determination is often lacking in the lives of Christians. Because the most important factor is missing and that is, knowing God.
If you know a person and you know where a person lives. And you are absolutely sure that the person is at home. You go to the right door and you keep knocking until the door is opened.
But many Christians are not so certain about their case.
They doubt and are double-minded. They wonder whether God hears their prayers. Let alone answers their prayers, if they don’t have their prayers answered within a day or a week.
Some Christians don’t know to Whom they should pray. They don’t know which door they should be at. Therefore they knock randomly on every door they’ll find, hoping someone opens the door.
Why do Christians don’t receive what they pray for?
They don’t pray out of Christ, out of the Word, out of revelation and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. But they pray learned words, written prayers, and prayer techniques from their pastor, քարոզիչներ, and Christian books. And so they pray from their carnal mind and their faith in the (written) աղոթք(ս) and the words they speak and the methods they apply. Այլ կերպ ասած, they pray from their faith in the resources, instead of praying from their faith in God. (Կարդացեք նաև: Տեխնիկական հավատք)
That’s why many Christians don’t ask (աղոթել), որոնել, and knock persistently. Because they don’t pray out of full assurance of their faith in Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Jesus asked the question, when He returns to earth, whether He find that faith, which is determined and persistent, և չհանձնվել. The faith in which Jesus and also His disciples walked in. The faith in which every Christian; every son of God (սա վերաբերում է և՛ տղամարդկանց, և՛ կանանց) and disciple of Jesus Christ ought to walk in. (Կարդացեք նաև: Shall I find faith on earth?)
Every Christian should pray, որոնել, և թակել
Jesus walked by faith in God and was determined and prayed persistently and didn’t give up. The apostles and believers of the first church also walked by faith in God and faith in the Name of Jesus. They were determined and prayed persistently and didn’t give up.
Just like them, all believers today should walk by faith in God and by faith in the Name of Jesus. They should be determined and persistent in prayer, և չհանձնվել.
You can only have this determination and perseverance if you have become a new creation and you know Who your God and Maker is, Who has redeemed you from the darkness, and Who dwells in you and guides you.
«Եղիր երկրի աղը’
