Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount with a promise that is both personal and powerful. He doesn’t just tell us to pray—He encourages us to pursue God persistently, with confidence in His goodness.
In a time where many feel discouraged, unseen, or unheard, Jesus gives us hope with three simple commands:
Ask. Seek. Knock.
Who Is Jesus Speaking To?
Jesus is speaking directly to those who follow Him—disciples and listeners alike.
He’s reaching people who are learning to trust God for their needs and unsure how to approach Him with their desires.
He’s also preparing His followers to treat others with radical grace, summed up in what we now call the Golden Rule.
What Jesus Said: Matthew 7:7–12 (NASB)
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 what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 So if you, despite being 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! 12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Ask, Seek, Knock — With Confidence
Jesus starts this section with an invitation to boldness in prayer:
- Ask – Don’t be afraid to bring your needs.
- Seek – Keep looking for God’s will and wisdom.
- Knock – Stay persistent even when the door doesn’t open right away.
These aren’t passive verbs—they imply action, persistence, and faith.
Action Step: Start each morning with specific “ask, seek, knock” prayers. Don’t just hope—speak boldly.
Why This Matters: God Is Good
“If you then… know how to give good gifts… how much more your Father…”
Jesus draws a stunning comparison. Even flawed human parents know how to care for their kids.
So how much more should we expect from a perfect, loving Father?
He’s not reluctant—He’s ready.
Action Step: Make a list of past prayers God has answered. Remind yourself: He’s good, and He hasn’t changed.
The Golden Rule: Living Kingdom Relationships
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you…”
This verse ties everything together. Our faith in God should flow into how we treat others.
Jesus doesn’t say, “Treat people the way they deserve.”
He says, “Treat them how you want to be treated.”
This is proactive love, not reactive behavior.
Action Step: Today, do one act of kindness you wish someone would do for you.
Mood of the Scene
Encouraging, empowering, and relational.
Jesus is showing us that prayer isn’t a ritual—it’s a relationship. And that relationship should lead us to live with open hearts toward others.
Response from the People
This teaching would have been revolutionary.
Jesus invited people into direct access to God—not through priests or rituals, but through persistent prayer and personal trust.
And He lifted love above law with a call to treat others the way you want to be treated.
What This Means for Us in 2025
We live in a world where:
- Prayers feel unanswered.
- Trust feels broken.
- People treat others as disposable.
But Jesus says:
“Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. God is better than you think.”
He also says:
“Don’t wait to be treated well. Be the one who sets the tone.”
How to Apply This Today:
- Set a prayer reminder on your phone at three points in the day.
- Keep a “knock list” — prayer requests you’re waiting on God to answer.
- Expect good from God—not because of you, but because of who He is.
- Every morning, ask: “How can I treat others the way I’d want to be treated?”
- Encourage someone else to keep praying—especially if they’re discouraged.
Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are good, faithful, and generous. I come to You asking, seeking, and knocking—not with fear, but with faith. Help me to live boldly in prayer and humbly in love. Make me a reflection of Your goodness to the world around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
