Ask. Seek. Knock.

Ask. Seek. Knock. These verbs paint a picture of a praying person. They require action, and indicate that a response is anticipated.

Jesus uses a parable to teach His disciples that boldness and persistence in prayer receives a definite response from God. He narrates the story of a man who knocks on the door of his friend in the middle of the night to ask him for three loaves of bread. He is desperate. A friend has arrived at his doorstep, tired and hungry and he has no food to offer him. At first, the friend refuses the man’s request. But he eventually gives in to the man’s relentless pleas.

When we pray it is crucial to keep in mind who we are praying to—God, the Father, who is not only all-knowing and all-powerful but also extremely generous and good.

If we truly believe that God is in control, not just of our lives, but also of all predictable events and surprising circumstances, then we will confidently ask Him for help, instead of taking matters into our own hands. If we really know deep down in our hearts that our Heavenly Father loves us more than anyone else in this world, then we will knock on His door with childlike faith, instead of worrying about our problems and doubting if our prayers even matter.

Jesus encourages us to persist in prayer for every single problem and for every little need. He has paved the way for us to go to God’s throne with boldness.

Prayer teaches us to humble ourselves, depend on God and trust Him. We patiently anticipate God’s answers and receive them with joy and gratefulness. It is this exchange of talking and listening, asking and receiving, and seeking and finding that grows our faith and nourishes our soul.

Respond

• What difficult situation or relationship do you need to pray about repeatedly and confidently?
• What do your prayers reveal about your relationship with God?