Ask, Seek, Knock: A Call to Diligence
Have you ever knocked on a door and waited, unsure if someone would answer? Have you ever searched for something important, determined not to stop until you found it? In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus extends a powerful invitation to us: Ask, seek, knock. These words hold profound meaning for those longing for a deeper relationship with God.
This teaching is not just about prayer—it’s about persistence, trust, and wholehearted pursuit of God. It’s about living with faith that He hears, sees, and responds. Today, we’ll explore what it means to ask, seek, and knock in our walk with God and how we can embrace this invitation fully in our daily lives.
Ask, Seek, Knock: A Journey of Pursuit
1. Ask: Bringing Your Requests Before God
Jesus begins with a simple yet profound truth: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Asking is the first step in deepening our relationship with God. It’s an act of faith, a recognition that we need Him and trust Him to provide.
Too often, we hesitate to ask. Maybe we doubt He will answer, or we feel unworthy to bring our needs before Him. But God desires that we come to Him in faith, believing He is both able and willing to respond.
Philippians 4:6 reinforces this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” He invites us to bring our needs, our hopes, and even our smallest concerns to Him.
2. Seek: Pursuing God with All Your Heart
After asking, Jesus urges us to seek. Seeking goes beyond making requests—it’s an active pursuit of God’s will, presence, and truth. It’s about aligning our hearts with His.
Imagine a child playing hide and seek. A determined seeker doesn’t just glance around the room and give up—they look carefully, persistently, determined to find what they’re searching for.
God promises that when we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. Jeremiah 29:13 assures us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Seeking God isn’t about checking off a religious duty—it’s about longing to know Him, understand His ways, and walk in alignment with His plans.
3. Knock: Stepping Out in Faith
Jesus concludes with a call to knock. Knocking is an action of persistence and expectation. When we knock, we’re demonstrating faith that God will open doors according to His perfect will and timing.
Sometimes, we knock and the door doesn’t open right away. That’s when faith and trust matter most. Luke 18:1-8 tells the parable of the persistent widow, who kept coming to the judge until she received justice. Jesus tells us this story to encourage us: Do not give up. Keep praying, keep seeking, keep knocking—because God is faithful.
James 1:5 offers a beautiful reminder: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God desires to give good gifts to His children, and He calls us to keep knocking in expectation of His goodness.
The Heart of the Father: God’s Generosity and Grace
Jesus reassures us of God’s kindness in Matthew 7:9-10: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” If even imperfect human parents desire to give good things to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father provide for those who seek Him?
One of the greatest gifts He gives us is His grace. As we ask, seek, and knock, we experience His love, provision, and transformation. And this naturally leads to living out the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)
When we receive God’s grace, we are empowered to extend it to others. Our pursuit of God isn’t just about personal faith—it’s about allowing His love to shape our actions and relationships.
Reflection & Application
1. Ask, Seek, Knock:
- What are you currently praying for? How can you align your prayers with God’s will?
- How can you actively seek God more in your daily life?
- In what areas do you need to be more persistent in faith?
2. The Heart of the Father:
- Reflect on how God has provided for you in the past.
- What is one way you can extend grace to someone this week?
Prayer Focus:
Take a moment to pray for wisdom and discernment. Ask God to reveal His heart to you, strengthen your faith, and guide you in walking with confidence.
Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking
Jesus’ invitation to ask, seek, and knock isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily, lifelong pursuit of God. When we ask, we acknowledge our dependence on Him. When we seek, we develop a deeper relationship with Him. And when we knock, we step out in faith, trusting in His perfect timing.
Maybe you feel like you’ve been knocking on a door that hasn’t opened yet. Be encouraged—God hears you, and His timing is always perfect. Or maybe you realize you haven’t been seeking God with your whole heart. Now is the time to go deeper.
Wherever you are today, know that God is waiting for you to seek Him. When you do, you will find Him.
