Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 CSB

Our verses today come from the Sermon on the Mount. Although a crowd has gathered around Him, Jesus is speaking to and teaching His disciples. Jesus is instructing His disciples, and us, how to pray. We already know that we communicate with God through prayer. How many of us may be a bit reluctant to pray for ourselves? I know I am.

Jesus simplifies it for us. He tells us that God already knows our needs (Matthew 6:8). If this is the case, why do we pray? Would any of us go into a store and wait until someone brings us what we need? No, we ask. How can we expect God to give us what we want or need just by waiting? Jesus commands us to ask. We cannot receive anything without first asking for it.

If we are seeking something, we are searching diligently for it, we desire it, we pursue it until we find it. Maybe we are seeking financial stability, a spouse, a home to live in or God’s will in our lives. Jesus commands us to seek. We cannot find anything without first seeking it.

We face a closed door. Perhaps we are looking for an opportunity, a change in circumstances, a goal, or another outcome. When you want entrance through a door, you don’t just stand outside and wait until someone opens it. Jesus commands us to knock. And as with a closed door, you continue to knock until the door is opened. A closed door will not be opened without first knocking.

Now the difficult part. If we ask, seek, and knock, will we always receive what we ask for? Or find what we were seeking? Or have the door opened to us? I think most of us would agree; probably not. If God gave us everything we asked for, what spoiled sons and daughters we would be. And think how much trouble we could get into.

We do our part; we pray to our Father God. We ask, we seek, and we knock, and then we trust that our God is always good. We trust that God knows what is best for us and best in every circumstance. We trust His answers to our prayers, whether yes, no, or wait. And we remember to thank and praise Him always. As I look back there are quite a few prayers that I’m glad God knew what I needed and didn’t give me what I wanted at the time!

 This week, let’s follow the commands that Jesus gives us. Let’s pray boldly. Let’s ask and seek and knock. And let’s trust our Father God and wait patiently for His answers.

Blessings and boldness in your prayers!