Bro Eli's Teaching about ASK, SEEK and KNOCK
Is praying enough to get closer to God? It is something to ponder about; however, Bro Eli shares “we do not just pray to get closer to God.” Yes! From my understanding of the teaching, we have a role to play while praying for our heart desires.
After praying, we need to begin to do what God ask us to do. Bro Eli made us understand that there is a possibility to pray all day, month, year, etc and still be in the same position; the way out is to follow what God instructs after or during prayer
In the book of Matthew 7:7, Jesus taught His disciples -
KJV:Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
From the above scripture, ASK is what we do in prayer (that is, asking God our needs). For example from Bro Eli’s instance, asking God for daily bread without going out to work makes our prayer be in vain.
On the other hand, if we stay throughout the day praying for daily bread without going out to work, how will you get the manifestation of God's power? Truly, God's power comes when we put our faith to work by stepping out to get what we asked for. This is God shows us His mercies, favor and grace.
So, the principle is ASK, then ACT. It is not sufficient to just pray without act according to our prayers. Another instance from Bro Eli was that after asking God for house, go out and seek. Seek for money, seek for a job that will generate the money to build that house you prayed for. God will make us find what we seek for. Here is when the answer to what we ASK manifests. When we know, He opens the door for us; this is the door of opportunities, good life, etc.
In conclusion, the teaching of the Bible according to Bro Eli is Ask and Act.
Faith without work is dead. Asking from God is faith, however we need to act
We must pray and we must work