Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Luke 11:9, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Background

When we are praying, we are doing a number of things. At the very least we are acknowledging that there is a God out there who is bigger than we are, One who has influence over what happens and when it happens. We are stating that we cannot control everything that affects us, and looking beyond ourselves makes sense with how we view the world. Of course, in most of our prayers we are doing a fair amount of thanking and requesting, too. In fact, the depth of our relationship with God is sometimes revealed in what we thank Him for and what we ask of Him. And the good thing about that is that He tells us to ask. In fact, in this one verse He states it three separate ways, with the wonderful assurance that our requests will be granted. Unfortunately, I think that the grandness of this promise is the very reason that some people struggle with believing God and walking closer with Him. Certainly in our daily lives we are leery of people who make grandiose promises time and again, especially once we see that the results aren’t all that was guaranteed. So when I ask God to do something, or when you seek Him about a decision to be made, and nothing seems to happen, we might struggle with believing that it will be given, and we will find, and it will be opened. We believe God is faithful and true, and we don’t want to say He didn’t do what He promised, so we make excuses about speaking in metaphors or praying in His will.

Application

But maybe the problem is that we’re not really asking, seeking, and knocking. Perhaps just submitting requests and asking things of God the way we do is not the type of asking He had in mind. He taught the disciples to pray to a Father and used the example of persistently seeking a friend. Is the One you pray to your Father, and are you close enough to call each other friends? If not, then maybe you’re just submitting requests instead of asking, seeking, and knocking. So, come to know Him as a loving Father and dear friend. And then when you ask, rest assured in Who you are praying to and how He is going to answer.

Charge

As we seek Him today, spend time with your Heavenly Father and Friend who hears you at midnight. Grow closer to Him, and see what you will find. 

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words