Ask and It Will Be Given To You

Ask and It Will Be Given To You

Matthew 7:7 Lexham English Bible

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened for you.

Jesus gives some very important truths concerning prayer in this verse. The word ask in the Greek is aiteō and it means to ask for, to demand, to plead for. This verb can be used to indicate requesting things of God. Jesus tells us that if we ask it will be given to us. What we find is that asking opens the door to finding answers to prayer. But does this mean that we simply ask one time and stop? I believe the Lord is showing us the importance of persistence in prayer. He begins with using the word ask but then moves on to seek.

Seek is the Greek word zēteō and it means to seek. To seek what is lost, what is due. When we seek after something we continue until we find it. Jesus tells us that there is a connection between seeking and find. If you fail to seek, you will not find. Here in the Greek, we see that it is to seek what is lost, what is due. There are answers to prayer that God desires to pour out, but it is intricately connected with the prayers of His people. God has created man in His image. When He created Adam, He gave Adam authority over the earth. Adam was called to be a steward. But that authority was hijacked by the serpent. But praise be to Jesus Christ, Jesus came and redeemed all that was lost in Eden. Authority belongs to Christ alone and that authority is given to all who have placed their faith in Christ and are washed by the blood of Jesus.

We are called to exercise kingdom authority in the place of prayer. Praying in the name of Jesus. Led and guided by The Holy Spirit. If we view prayer as a boring, religious ritual, then we have not come to understand true prayer. For when we truly prayer we connect with the heart of God and see His purposes accomplished on the earth and see history shaped by His mighty hand. We are temples of The Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit desires to lead us in all things.

Knock is the Greek word krouō and it means strike smite; knock; strike . If we know the answer we seek is standing behind a door, we will knock on that door until the door is open. Jesus in Luke 18 tells a parable of a persistent widow. In the parable Jesus highlights the importance of persistence in prayer. There are times when we pray that we honestly feel like nothing is happening or being accomplished, but this is all a lie and deception. The moment we draw near to God and cry out to Him, He hears us. He not only hears us, but we know when we pray according to His will that it will be done.

Is it God’s will to heal? Yes. Is it God’s will to save? Yes. Is it God’s will to transform and resurrect lives? Yes. Is it even God’s will to raise the dead? Yes. Sometimes we may look at circumstances and based on our understanding and logic believe things to be impossible. But again, this is based on a lie. If we spend intimate moments with God each day and come to know Him, we will come to know His character and nature. The mind of Christ will be developed within us. We will see every life and situation through the eyes of God, and we will see that nothing is beyond His power or grace.

Ask, seek, and knock. If we will persist in the place of prayer we will receive. If we will ask, it will be given. If we will seek, we will find. If we will knock, the door will be open. But see the principle of God’s kingdom in this. We must move in faith according to God’s word and He will respond to our faith. When we operate from a place of faith based on God’s word, the power of God will be released into our lives and into the situations we are praying into.

No need is too big or too small for God. He knows every hair on the top of our heads. May we simply trust Him at His word and stop believing the lie of the devil. May we stop coming into agreement with unbelief, worry, fear, and every other lie of the devil. May we instead come into agreement with the truth of God’s word and His promises. He is always faithful, and He is always perfectly on time.

Prayer

Father thank you for your promises. Thank you that if we ask, we will receive. If we seek, we will find. If we knock, the door will be open. Father thank you for the answers to prayer that are coming according to your will. May my every desire be surrendered to your will and purpose. Father shape and mold my heart to be one with yours. May every desire I have align with your will. May you empty me of myself and fill me with who you are. In the name of Jesus, Amen!