Many people, including Christians, want to know more about how to ask God for help with their needs. What did Jesus say about asking, seeking and knocking in Matthew? Jesus explains that prayer is the answer. Jesus tells us that prayer is the way we can ask God for help. He encourages us to “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Let’s look over these words from Scripture in Matthew 7:7-12 to find what “Seek and you will find” means to us.
“Seek and You Will Find .. ” What Did Jesus Say about Asking, Seeking and Knocking?
“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.
Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
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 what is good to those who ask Him!
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:7-12 NASB
What Does Jesus Say about Asking, Seeking & Knocking?
Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God.
People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes prayer, faith, focus, and follow-through. With perseverance, we gain the confidence that God is with us, ready to reveal Himself.
Doubt and Faith
We all have trouble keeping our faith strong at times because it is human nature to doubt and to give up. For example, when faced with a difficult challenge, it is natural to wonder if we can overcome it or if it is just too overwhelming.
Sometimes we have to go against “instinct” and follow the heart God has given us to believe and ask God for the things we need in life.
When we ask God to help us accomplish a task in our lives whether it is for job, family or health we are showing our dependency on Him, not ourselves. However, let’s make sure the things we ask for are “good” things, not things just for our vanity.
When You Ask; Don’t Pray for Snakes
The child in Jesus’ example asked his father for bread and fish — good and necessary items to sustain life. If the child had asked for a poisonous snake, would the wise father have granted his request? Of course not! And, neither would we.
Because God knows we are praying for ‘snakes’, He does not always give us what we ask for, even though we persist in our prayers.
An example is something our pastor has said on many occasions:
“Be careful about praying for patience; God may send you a problem to test it.”
I have pondered this because turmoil many times makes us stronger. An old TV show had the title; “Father Knows Best”, and this most certainly applies to God.
As we learn to know God better as a loving Father, we learn to ask for what is good for us, and then He grants it, if it is in His will and in His time.
God’s Answer to Prayer
I’ve gone over this in other lessons but it’s worth repeating. God normally has three responses to our prayers. Simply put, they are ..
1. Yes
2. No
3. Wait
The first answer is easy but the second and third are sometimes hard to swallow. This is where faith really shines.
Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule
In many religions it is stated negatively: ‘Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you.’ By stating it more positively in Matthew 7:12, Jesus made it more significant. Jesus’ version of the same sentiment is more direct and easier to understand. By saying it in a positive way, He emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.
Truthfully, it’s not very difficult to refrain from harming others, is it? On the other hand, it can be difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. If we sense someone is having a bad day, it can be as easy as sending them a kind text or a small gift to show them we care. All help we give is not monumental. But, even a small gesture can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Let’s make an effort to treat others more like we would want to be treated – In Advance! We will be rewarded on earth — and in heaven.
*** A suggestion is to take out your study Bible, look up these verses & read the explanations carefully. I had a much better understanding of the “Rule” after doing this.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to know more about how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.