Our scripture this morning is Matthew 7:7-8.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
In this passage Jesus teaches about being persistent – we are to ask, seek and knock in order to receive God’s blessing. This is not to say we need to beg God who withholds things but rather we must be intentional in connecting with Him. God wants to give us good gifts but we must choose to be in a relationship with Him.
Jesus is telling us we need to stay in touch with God and prayer is the way to accomplish that. The apostle Paul told us to “always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. God knows everything about each of us, but He wants us to come to Him in prayer to share it with Him in person.
This doesn’t mean God gives us everything we want. Sometimes we pursue things that are harmful and God grieves when we choose wrongly. By being connected to Him through prayer and following the path Jesus showed us, we can avoid falling into sin and know His will for our lives.
Loving Lord, we know You want only the best for us. Help us to curb our selfishness, loving You and each other in all things. Amen.
