Scripture
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 ESV
Observation
Jesus has just taught the disciples how to pray (Mt.6:9-13) and now comes to a point where He explains that we are to ask, seek, and knock. Jesus is extending an open invitation to come to the Father and ask of Him; seek Him means to ask more, and knock means to come even closer to God. Jesus is telling us that in the name of Jesus, we will ask God for anything, and He will hear our prayer. Do not let it end there, but continue to seek Him for answers. God is listening. He may not answer how we desire Him to because He is the Good Father. But this invitation is extended to us so that we can become closer to the Father, understand His will, and ask accordingly. He invites us to spend time with Him that we can even go so far as to knock on His door, and He will be there waiting to talk. Isn’t that so different from the image we might have had that God is distant and so much that our prayers can’t or won’t reach his ears? God invites us to talk with Him and to have a conversation. He wants us to seek Him out for answers. Yet we must be careful not to mix this up with God being magic and exists only to grant us our wishes.
I am reminded today that I am invited to be before Him. I can only do this because of Christ’s death and resurrection. I am reminded that God does want a relationship with me.
Application
Jesus is inviting us to pray. Spend more time, honestly, seeking out answers from God, not just throwing things out there, not caring whether He answers or not. But being purposeful to seek Him. Daily and even more often come before God in prayer in supplication, just to spend time with Him in worship and prayer and praise.
Let us not forget that this invitation is genuine. This invitation is a promise to us. Take God up on it!
Saint Richard of Chichester’s prayer expresses this beautifully:
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits thou hast given me,
for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen.
Let that be our prayer as well.
Prayer
Heaven Father, Thank you for your invitation to us to be able to commune with You. Thank you for inviting us to be with You and be before You in your throne room. This is all through Jesus that we are offered that. I pray for your forgiveness when I have taken this invitation for granted and even been so frivolous with my prayers. Thank you for changing as I spend time with You. I love you and ask of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen!
