Day #11

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (NASB)

You've likely heard this verse quoted at some point in the past. It's a fairly common verse that is used when talking about the topic of prayer and the importance of us being persistent and faithful in our prayers. We need to keep asking, seeking and knocking through prayer.

In our hearts we know that we should keep on asking, seeking and knocking but in practice this is difficult to do. It's difficult to do because that decision we've been asking God about is looming, that conversation we've been seeking guidance on is right around the corner, that help we need from God is on top of us and no one seems to be answering the door that we've been knocking on for so long. Why does God tell us to keep asking, seeking and knocking when it sometimes feels like there's no answer.

I think the answer to this question is found in the idea of trust. Do we trust God enough to keep on asking, seeking and knocking for His answer or do we ask once, seek once, knock lightly and then strike out on our own? Yes, I think God is communicating the importance of persistence and faithfulness through this verse, we have to be diligent in our prayer and communication to God. But I also think God is communicating the importance of trust. We should trust that He told us to ask, He will answer. We should trust that if He told us to seek, we will find. We should trust that if He told us to knock, the door will be opened.

Maybe our new focus shouldn't be on how long we've been asking, seeking and knocking but rather on how we've allowed God to change our hearts and perspectives as we've been asking, seeking and knocking. Be encouraged and keep moving forward.