“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7: 7-8

When we examine Jesus’ teachings on prayer, He says a couple of things that at first glance might seem contradictory.

In Matthew 6: 7-8, before He teaches the Lord’s prayer, He says:

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

But in Matthew 7: 7-8, He also says, Keep on asking…Keep on seeking…Keep on knocking.

Because if sinful people know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts us?

So what are we to think of prayer?

Well, we know that Jesus encourages us to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

So whatever our prayer habit is, it must be done in accordance with genuine worship – with love, with submission, with a believing heart, and with sincerity.

And in my humble opinion, I think Jesus encourages us to “keep on” with our requests and questions because He wants us to pursue an active relationship with God.

Of course, we should be wary of praying the same prayer over and over again with anxiety and unbelief in our hearts. Or repeating the same request multiple times in one prayer session. 

But Jesus indicates that it’s empowering to be steadfast in our prayers.

So as we seek to be closer to God and to know Him a little better each day, we should keep on keeping on with our prayers until God reveals His will to us in His time.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, as I bow my head to be in your presence everyday, fill me with your Holy Spirit so that my prayers will be pleasing to you. Let your Holy Spirit guide me to pray for the right things – things that fall in accordance with your will. And let my prayer life serve to strengthen the everlasting bond I have with you. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.