Differentiate between two types of prayer!
In Matthew chapters 6 & 7, Jesus spoke on two different types of prayer.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
In this instance, you are praying about a basic need such as food. You don’t have to convince FATHER with repetition to provide food for HE knows you need food.
Then in chapter 7, Jesus spoke in:
7 “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
8 For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.
11 If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your Heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?”
One chapter says ask but don’t keep asking; the other says to ask and keep asking. What’s the difference between the two? In chapter 7 above, your prayers focus on the righteous desires and dreams of your heart.
Persistence in prayer changes you where you become a person that can properly steward the manifestation of your dream or desire. Maturity of stewardship is the issue.
Why does GOD discipline HIS children? So HIS blessings don’t kill us! If we ask for an oak tree, HE gives us an acorn. Can you steward the answer in its embryonic form?
When I properly steward, I become a different person, my strength increases my resolve, my sense of priorities change. Suddenly, I am willing to pay any price to achieve the dream. Persistence in prayer is connected to breakthrough. Where there is not the prayer of persistence, there is an absence of breakthrough.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 11:
24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.
26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
And in John chapter 7:
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.“
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The man whose heart is a dry place, has not sought the flow of Presence of GOD by His Holy Spirit Who brings forth living water. We are not to give place to the devil and his influence by walking in prayerlessness. Prayerlessness creates vacancy in the heart of a person. Prayer fills the vacancy in our hearts.