Ask, Seek, and Knock

Where is this command found?

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Matthew 7:7–8

Applying This Command

Do you ever wonder how to pray? Or do you feel like God delays in answering your prayers? The command of Christ Ask, Seek, and Knock is brimming full of promises that God will answer prayer! It gives hope, encouraging us to not give up, and provides practical steps on how to pray as believers.

It is easy to fall into the trap of becoming self-centered when we pray. This can even cause our prayers to become ineffective. But in Luke 11, Jesus highlights an even greater purpose for prayer…the needs of others! Focusing on the needs of others not only takes our eyes off ourselves, it also gives us the opportunity for God to use us in the lives of others.

God longs to show Himself strong by answering prayer when we pray in agreement with His Word. Whether it is for a personal need or for someone else’s, it is our privilege and responsibility to pray. And as our Heavenly Father, God delights to supply the needs of His children as we become more dependent upon Him in prayer.

Bible Verses for Meditation

In addition to meditation on Matthew 7:7–8, meditating on the verses below will provide you with further insight and understanding of Christ’s command: Ask, Seek, and Knock.

Matthew 7:9–11

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

James 4:3–4

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

John 14:14

“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Psalm 81:10

“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

Psalm 34:10

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

Related Episodes

From the Podcast

Dive deeper into the command Ask, Seek, and Knock with these episodes from the Commands of Christ podcast!

View all episodes

Ask, Seek, and Knock — Part 1

15:21

Ask, Seek, and Knock — Part 2

18:36

Ask, Seek, and Knock — Part 3

21:02

Ask, Seek, and Knock — Part 4

17:59

Study Question

Q: Why did God promise to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt and then lead them into a wilderness with no water or food?

A: God is love, and love deepens by intimate fellowship. When God led the nation of Israel into the wilderness, He wanted their needs to draw them close to Him for intimate fellowship (see Deuteronomy 8:2). During their 40 years in the wilderness, God continually provided for their needs as they trusted in Him. When God provided food for the people, He told Moses that He wanted them to know “… that I am the LORD your God” (Exodus 16:11–12). God also demonstrated His power and provision by preventing their clothes and shoes from wearing out or becoming too small. (See Deuteronomy 8:4.)

God’s number one challenge with the nation of Israel was keeping their focus and attention on Him. He warned them “not to forget Him” and even lamented the fact that they would become proud and “not need Him” after they built houses, accumulated possessions, and had all of their physical needs supplied. (See Deuteronomy 8:11–14.)

Similarly, God desires a close relationship with each one of us and wants us to depend on Him for everything we need. He urges us to tell Him every detail of our needs in earnest and thankful prayer. (See Philippians 4:6.) When we experience needs, God wants our hearts to be turned toward Him, acknowledging our need for His intervention. Crying out to God in fervent prayer demonstrates our unconditional surrender to Him, involves a plea for His infinite mercy in our lives, and also reveals our confidence in a power greater than ourselves.

By following the Biblical instruction to ask, seek, and knock, we will not only experience God’s provision for our every need, but will also enjoy the fellowship of a deepening love relationship with God as our hearts are turned towards Him.

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