©1999 Anna M. K. Hazen (revised 8/2024)

Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.” This foundational truth is echoed in Matthew 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The faith you have right now—this very moment—is all you need. Jesus further emphasizes this in Matthew 17:20, saying, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, ‘Remove hence to yonder place,’ and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Let’s explore the context of a poignant event in Matthew 17, where a father pleads for his son, saying: “Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic and sore vexed; for oftentimes he falls into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” (Matt 17:15-16).

Jesus responds: “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I endure you? Bring him hither to me.” And He rebuked the devil; he departed out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour. (Matt 17:17-18). Later, when the disciples inquire why they couldn’t cast out the demon, Jesus answers: “Because of your unbelief. For truly, I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, ‘Remove hence to yonder place,’ and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt 17:19-21).

Sometimes, a little more effort—specifically prayer and fasting—is needed, especially when dealing with challenging situations like demonic activity. No matter the size of your request, God will grant it if you believe—in Him, in truth, and in yourself. But remember, it’s clear that God won’t grant what could cause you harm. He has laws, but at times, He alters nature itself—like when He stopped the rain for me in 1985 or turned back the sun for Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:8-11).

In the story of Hezekiah, he asks Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day?” (2 Kings 20:8). Isaiah replies, “This sign shall you have of the Lord: Whether the shadow goes forward ten degrees or backward ten degrees.” (2 Kings 20:9). Hezekiah wisely opts for a more miraculous request, asking the shadow to return backward ten degrees. (2 Kings 20:10). And Isaiah cries out to the Lord, and the shadow indeed moves back ten degrees!

God has calmed stormy weather for me on several occasions; all I did was ask! It doesn’t happen every day, but it could if you believe. My husband and I have prayed for storms to fizzle out, and there were times when God parted the clouds, letting the sunshine through just for us! Ironbutterfly’s sister, who happens to be a skeptic, witnessed miracles like this firsthand.

Our Lord, Christ Jesus, told His disciples they hadn’t asked Him for anything yet, but if they did, they would receive—provided they believed. There are countless examples in God’s Word where people believed and were healed simply because of their faith.

In Mark 9:17-18, a father exclaims, “Master, I brought unto thee my son, who has a dumb spirit; and wherever he takes him, he tears him; and he foams, gnashes his teeth, and pines away. I spoke to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not.” Jesus responds: “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I endure you? Bring him unto me.” (Mark 9:19). When they bring the boy to Jesus, He asks the father, “How long has this been happening?” To which the father replies, “Of a child. Oftentimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but IF THOU canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.” (Mark 9:21-22). Jesus turns the doubt back on him, saying: “If THOU canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23). The father, realizing his struggle, cries out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24).

Another poignant story is found in Matthew 9:20-22: “Behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself, ‘If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.’ But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

This brave woman, who had suffered for many years and spent all she had on doctors who couldn’t help her, navigated through the crowd, fully aware of the laws that deemed her “unclean.” But she pushed forward, knowing that just touching the hem of His garment would heal her.

In Mark 3:1-5, we see Jesus enter a synagogue and encounter a man with a withered hand: “And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.” (Mark 3:2). Jesus asks the man to stand forth and challenges the Pharisees about the law concerning good deeds on the Sabbath. Apparently they didn’t thing healing was allowed. Then He tells the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.” The man believes Jesus has the power to heal him—and when he stretches out his hand, it was restored whole as the other (Mark 3:3-5).

Miracles still happen today for those who choose to believe. Let me share a personal story: My children’s great-grandmother was ill and scheduled for surgery due to gallstones. I visited her the night before the operation and asked if she believed God could heal her. Her calm response was, “Yes, child, I do.” We prayed together, and the next day, the doctors, astonished, said she could go home—the gallstones were gone! They could hardly believe it, but her faith remained steadfast.

Not only will Almighty God heal you through His Son, Christ Jesus, but He will also provide for your needs—be it jobs, food, clothing, houses, or even something shiny like cars—anything you ask for in Christ’s Holy Name. As long as your request aligns with His Word and you ask with genuine prayer, you shall receive.

Matthew 7:11 reminds us: “If you 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?”

Here’s a light-hearted anecdote from years ago: When my children were quite young, my meticulous daughter mislaid her shoes before we were to leave for fellowship. We searched everywhere, even her closet (multiple times). In a moment of parental desperation, I gathered the family around and prayed, “Father, where are my daughter’s shoes?” In that moment, God spoke to me, “Go look on the floor of her closet; on the right side; at the front.” Guess where they were! Sometimes, He just needs us to pause, ask, and then listen rather than acting like we’re on a treasure hunt with no map!

When you ask, remember these five essentials:

1. Be clear about WHAT you want—even the color and size!
2. Be patient about WHEN you want it. God is never early, but He is never late; He’s always on time!
3. Know WHERE you want it to happen.
4. Understand WHY you want it. God knows your heart and intentions; He won’t grant requests stemming from greed or ill will.
5. Rely on HOW you will obtain it—through faith!

Romans 10:17 reminds us: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” When you believe with the faith of Christ Jesus, there is nothing you cannot accomplish—as long as it aligns with God’s Word and will.

John 10:10b states: “I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” And in 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

God desires us to be happy and fulfilled! As our Father, He wants the best for us. The authors of these biblical books wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, communicating profound truths about God’s desire for our wellbeing.

Christ Jesus emphasized that when we are obedient—serving in the church, helping those in need, and following His commandments—He will grant us our heart’s desires if we truly believe. Just remember, it’s all on His timetable—not ours.

I want to clarify: I am not promoting the so-called “prosperity gospel.” That notion is often exploited by those eager to line their pockets with your donations which they claim are “tithes owed to the church), twisting the Word of God for their own personal gain. It’s all about discernment and recognizing true teachings.

God will bestow upon us the desires He places in our hearts. So when you align your requests with His will, ASK! But remember, it may not be in the time frame you expect; it’s all about His divine timing.

I hope this message blesses you. Keep your wicks trimmed and your oil lamps filled—after all, THE KING IS COMING!!!