OTKC 19: Ask, Seek, Knock

“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. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!  Matthew 7:7-11 (ESVUK)

What Did Jesus Mean?

When Jesus commands us to “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7), He employs three progressive verbs that reveal the nature of persistent, faith-filled prayer. The Greek construction of these verbs indicates continuous action—we are to “continue to ask…seek…knock”. This isn’t a one-time request but an ongoing posture of dependence upon God.

Asking represents our initial approach to God with specific requests, acknowledging our need and His provision. It requires humility, recognising that we are dependent creatures coming before our sovereign Creator. Seeking implies a more intense pursuit—not merely requesting but actively searching for God’s presence and will. As one commentary notes, when we seek, “we are seeking His presence—we are not so much seeking the gift, we are seeking the Giver”. Knocking represents bold persistence, the kind of faith that continues even when the answer seems delayed.

Jesus emphasises the certainty of God’s response: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8). This universal promise isn’t based on our worthiness but on God’s character as a loving Father. The context reveals this isn’t a “blank cheque” theology but rather an invitation to seek wisdom, discernment, and spiritual enablement. Luke’s parallel passage confirms this, showing that what God gives in response is “the good gift of his Holy Spirit” (Luke 11:13).

Jesus, the Early Church and Kingdom First

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus regularly withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16), sought His Father’s will before major decisions (Luke 6:12-13), and taught His disciples to pray persistently (Luke 18:1). His entire ministry flowed from this intimate communion with the Father, showing that even the Son of God relied upon prayer for guidance and strength.

The early church embraced this teaching with remarkable results. Acts 1:14 records that the disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” while awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. When Peter was imprisoned, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5), resulting in his miraculous release. The apostles prioritised prayer alongside the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), understanding that spiritual effectiveness depended upon this divine connection.

Paul exemplified persistent seeking in his prayers for the churches. His letters reveal continuous intercession: “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:10). When faced with his “thorn in the flesh,” Paul asked three times for its removal before receiving God’s sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), demonstrating that sometimes God’s “no” is His perfect answer.

Importance of the Command in the Believer’s Life

This command holds profound significance for every follower of Christ. Firstly, it reveals God’s character as a generous Father. Jesus emphasises that even earthly fathers, though evil by nature, know how to give good gifts to their children—”how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” This powerful verse reveals that it is in God’s very nature to give good gifts to those who make their requests in humility and sincerity.

Secondly, the command assures us that God is always listening. Jesus declares, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened”. The universality of this promise shows that God’s responsiveness to prayer is not based on our goodness, but on His goodness. What a remarkable truth that the God of all creation cares so deeply about His children that He hears them when they pray!

Thirdly, this teaching transforms our understanding of prayer from mere religious duty to intimate communion with our Father. When we ask, we’re requesting gifts from God; when we seek, we’re pursuing His presence—seeking the Giver rather than just the gift; when we knock, we’re demonstrating the boldness and persistence that pleases Him. Together, these three actions give us “the greatest chance to access all of who He is”.

The command serves as an antidote to self-reliance and spiritual pride. It reminds believers that we cannot navigate life’s complexities through human wisdom alone. As Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” The ask-seek-knock pattern cultivates this dependence whilst building faith through answered prayer.

This teaching protects believers from discouragement when prayers seem unanswered. The progressive intensity of ask-seek-knock suggests that some spiritual breakthroughs require sustained effort. Like the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, believers are encouraged to “pray always and not to faint”

Practical Steps to Follow the Command

• Establish Regular Prayer Times: Following Jesus’ example of withdrawing for prayer (Mark 1:35), believers should cultivate consistent daily prayer habits. This might include morning devotions, evening reflection, or midday prayer breaks. The key is regularity rather than duration.
• Practice Specific Asking: Rather than vague requests, bring concrete needs before God. James 4:2 reminds us, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” Whether seeking wisdom for decisions, provision for needs, or healing for relationships, specificity demonstrates faith and enables recognition of answered prayer.
• Engage in Active Seeking: This involves studying Scripture to understand God’s will, seeking counsel from mature believers, and remaining alert to God’s guidance through circumstances. As Jeremiah 29:13 promises: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
• Persist in Knocking: When prayers seem unanswered, continue in faith whilst examining motives and aligning requests with God’s character. Remember that God’s timing often differs from ours, and His delays aren’t denials but opportunities for deeper trust.
• Pray in Community: The example of the early church demonstrates the power of corporate prayer. Join prayer groups, participate in church prayer meetings, and pray with family members to strengthen both individual and collective faith.
• Pray for Wisdom and Discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions, so that your correction builds up rather than tears down (James 1:5; John 16:13)

The command to ask, seek, and knock isn’t merely about getting what we want from God—it’s about developing the kind of relationship with our Heavenly Father that transforms both our desires and our character. As we persistently approach Him in prayer, we discover that He is indeed “more willing to give good gifts” than we are to receive them, and that His greatest gift is often Himself.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom

Questions for Reflection

• How have you kept on asking, seeking and knocking in your interaction with God?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping you exercise the seeking and knocking that Jesus commands?
• What can you do this week to challenge yourself and others to pursue God in asking, seeking and knocking?