Jesus encourages us to consider the spirit of our prayers when we pray to our Father in heaven. Do we pray knowing that God is a loving Father?
“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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NASB)
Here Jesus gives us three prayer tasks, to ask, seek and knock. He also gives us three promises, that it will be given to us, that we will find what we’re seeking, and that it will be opened to us. Then He gives an even more remarkable promise, that “everyone” who asks receives. This is not just for us, but everyone else as well. This is different to the old covenant. It was exclusive. This is different.
"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 you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11 NIV)
Do parents take care of their children? Why would we expect any less from God, our heavenly Father? Notice the one caveat, “good gifts.” God is not going to give us things that would be bad for us. Let’s notice Luke’s witness to this.
And I tell you, 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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13 ESV)
Luke reminds us that the best gift of all is the blessing of the Holy Spirit. The world has taught us to be suspicious, but there is someone who always has our best interest at heart, God. Can we learn to trust Him? Let’s ask, seek and knock knowing that our Father’s will is to give us the best gifts.
