"Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, if a person continues asking, that person will receive. If a person continues looking, that person will find. And if a person continues knocking, the door will open for that person."
— Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
Key Thought
Ask, look, knock. These actions sound so harmless and so easy. But behind these words is the intent of Jesus: "Be persistent! Keep asking! Continue looking! Don't quit knocking!" This is not a cookbook prescription, but the target attitude we should have in our prayers and our lives. We must be persistent and faithful. But before making that persistence our key to acquiring and achieving for ourselves, let's remember Jesus' example in the model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13: the focus is on God's will—his Kingdom and his glory, on our most basic needs—daily bread, and on overcoming sin through forgiveness and deliverance. Jesus is reminding us that if we stay after these, not only will we get what we ask for, but we will also be changed in the process!
Today's Prayer
Holy and righteous Father, thank you so much for the many prayers you have answered. Thank you, dear Father, for answering my prayers to be more like Jesus. I confess I am still so very far from his perfection, but when I look at the distance you have brought me in the past, I can view the future only with excitement knowing that you will lead me on to become more like him in the future. In Jesus' name, I thank you and ask for your continued grace. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- James 1:5-8
- John 14:12-13
- Luke 18:1-8
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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