Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Matthew 7:9-11
"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Jesus encourages us to come to God boldly and persistently in prayer. The three words—ask, seek, knock—show increasing urgency and effort. God is not a distant or unwilling God. He is a loving Father who delights in giving good things to His children. Jesus uses the example of an earthly father: even imperfect human fathers know how to give good gifts to their children. How much more will our perfect heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him? This does not mean God gives us everything we want, but it means He always gives us what is truly good. We can trust His answer, even when it is different from what we expected.
Is there something you have been afraid to ask God for? Bring it to Him today. Pray with boldness and trust. Don't give up after one prayer—keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Remember that God is a good Father. He may not answer the way you expect, but He will always answer with what is best for you. Make persistent prayer a daily habit.
What does it mean to "ask, seek, and knock"? How is each one different?
Is there a prayer you have given up on? Will you bring it to God again?
How does knowing God is a good Father give you confidence in prayer?