The Great Adventure of Prayer

This summary provides an expert analysis of Jesus’ teachings on prayer from Matthew 7:7–11, emphasizing the imperative commands for believers to actively engage in communication with God. The central message focuses on the direct, comprehensive, and certain nature of prayer, encouraging believers to approach God with the simplicity and persistence of a child.

I. The Imperatives of Prayer: Ask, Seek, and Knock

Jesus presents three distinct instructions regarding prayer: Ask, Seek, and Knock. These are not mere suggestions but are stated in the imperative mood, meaning they are commands.

1. Ask: The Simple Command

The word “Ask” is dominant in the text because God desires us to ask. Jesus does not command us to beg or cry out, although those can be valid expressions of prayer; He gives a clear, simple directive: ask. Many people fail to pray as much as they ought because they have made prayer too difficult. Prayer is intended to be simple, like a child approaching his father for what he needs.

2. Seek: Pursuing the Giver

The command to “Seek” requires more effort than simply asking. Seeking suggests that after asking, the believer realizes the need to pursue the one who holds the answer. Seeking is therefore focused more on pursuing the Giver than the gift itself. Sometimes, casual asking is hindered by distance that has come between the believer and the Lord; seeking means closing that gap and drawing near to truly communicate.

3. Knock: Intimacy and Intensity

“Knock” is described as even more intimate and intense than seeking. It means finding oneself at the door, calling out for the answer.

However these three words (ask, seek, and knock) are interpreted, the core understanding is that Jesus is inviting every person to come to Him with intensity and bring their needs before Him. The believer does not need to knock down the door because God has already opened it and invites us to ask. God is more anxious to hear your prayer than you are to hear His answer. When believers neglect prayer, they leave a tremendous opportunity on the table.

The Greek language of the New Testament clarifies that all three commands (ask, seek, and knock) are present imperatives, which should be translated as: “keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking”. Believers are commanded never to stop.

II. The Influence and Scope of Prayer

Prayer, when undertaken as commanded, is both comprehensive and certain.

Prayer is Comprehensive (Everyone Included)

Verse 8 states: “For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be opened”. The promise is comprehensive, highlighted by the word “everyone”. This includes every “kingdom child,” not just pastors, deacons, or those with theological training.

The sources stress that a pastor’s prayer has no more efficacy before God than a layperson’s prayer. Believers should not feel they need to go through religious leaders to pray. God opens His heart to all, no matter how insignificant one may feel in the kingdom.

Prayer is Certain

The promise of answered prayer is explicitly stated: “Everyone who asks receives. Everyone who seeks finds. Everyone who knocks it will be opened”. This means the answer is received not just some of the time or by just some of the people, but it is a certain promise.

One reason believers do not pray is a lack of belief, which creates a problem with the integrity of God’s word. God is waiting to open His treasures and provide what is needed; He is simply waiting for us to ask. The sources cite an old story about a man in heaven who found filing cabinets full of things God wanted to give to His children, but they never asked for them. As one preacher noted, “100% of the prayers you don’t pray will not be answered”.

III. The Illustration of Prayer: A Loving Father

Jesus illustrates the principles of prayer by using the practical, everyday experience of human fatherhood.

The Analogy of Good Gifts

Jesus asked what father, if his son asks for bread, would give him a stone, or if he asks for a fish, would hand him a serpent. These are described as preposterous illustrations.

Jesus then drives home the point: “If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good things to you who ask him?”. The term “evil” here means “imperfect” or “sinful” in comparison to the absolute holiness of God. If sinful human fathers know how to respond to their children’s needs, God will do the same for His children.

Believers should not approach prayer as if they must “break down God’s reluctance” or bang on the door until He finally listens. God, like a loving heavenly father, is ready to listen. The sources note that one of a human father’s greatest joys is being the answer to his children’s needs.

IV. The Nuances of Divine Answers

While God guarantees a response to prayer, the answer may take several forms.

• If the request is wrong, God says “No.” Many are grateful in hindsight for the prayers God refused because they were asking for the wrong things.
• If the timing isn’t right, God says “Slow.” Wisdom may lead God to delay the answer.
• If the believer is unready, God says “Grow.” God, like a wise parent, may require the believer to mature first before granting the request.
• When the request and timing are right, and the believer is right, God says “Go.”.

God has good gifts He wants to give, as “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the father in heaven”.