Matthew 7:7-11, Ask, and It Will Be Given

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Comments

Jesus calls for persistent prayer. “Seek” and “knock” are metaphors for prayer, even bold prayer to the Father. There is no reluctance on the Father’s part when our asking is within his will.

One of the gifts of parenthood is that true motherhood and fatherhood overcomes our own evil and selfishness. Has God taught you about unconditional love through loving a child or someone else who was dependent upon you? Reflect on how God shapes you through these kinds of relationships.

Prayer

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children and others dependent upon us: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we serve them and bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

(BCP, p. 829, modified)