Reading the Word

Matthew 7:7–11 (ESV) — 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are 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!

Understanding and Applying the Word

Jesus invites us to pray without fear. He tells us that we can ask, seek, and knock. We do not have to worry that the Father will get tired of hearing from us. He assures us that if an earthly father looks to give good things to his children, surely the all-good and all-loving Father will give good things to his children. The Father does not tire of hearing from his children. He loves us and welcomes us to go to him with our every need.

Would your prayer life change if you were sure that God hears your prayers and answers them? Do you ever feel like you might be getting on God’s nerves by praying too often? Jesus tells us that God loves us as a Father and he wants us to come to him. He desires to give what is best for us. And we can go to him continually and ask, seek, and knock.

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