Ask, Seek And Knock

In many places throughout the Scriptures, Jesus encourages us to ask and receive. Motivated by numerous mediators who stand between us and God, we are thoroughly trained to constantly ask—again and again. James reinforces this by saying, “You did not receive because you did not ask (James 4:2).” Some believers, after asking for a long time without receiving, begin to reflect on Jesus’ words: “Until now, you have not asked the Father for anything in My Name (John 16:24).” So they begin to include the phrase “in the Name of Jesus” in their prayers. Yet even then, when the desired answer or blessing doesn’t come, the act of asking can begin to feel like a never-ending, fruitless effort.

God’s Automation

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He reminded them that the Father already knows our needs—even before we ask (Matthew 6:8). This points to a uncompromised truth: with our limited human understanding, how can we truly discern all our needs? And even if we could, how would we manage to ask for them consistently and accurately?

In our daily lives, we rely on reminders from digital devices just to keep up with tasks. Often, even with these tools, we find ourselves running out of time. Now consider our bodies: to simply function, they require countless complex elements for energy and reactions in every part. To pray for all these things individually, we would first need to become experts in human biology—understanding each system, each cycle, and remembering them all in perfect order.

But God knows our limitations. That’s why He designed our bodies to function automatically. Breathing, for example, happens without conscious effort. Just as modern industries use automation today, God pre-programmed our bodily systems from the beginning.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV)

God’s automation extends beyond us. The planets revolve in their orbits without intervention. God created them to function perfectly, requiring no updates or maintenance. Unlike our science, which depends on ongoing research and development to catch up with His flawless design, God’s creation was complete from the start. With all this in mind, we might ask ourselves: What exactly are we meant to ask from God?

What Do We Ask For?

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

The words of Jesus hold the key to the Kingdom of God. Yet many focus only on asking for things already assigned for their provision, missing the true treasure He offers. Surprisingly, most stop at His first instruction—ask—and never go further to seek or knock. This is how the god of this age blinds the minds of many, preventing them from discovering the deeper truth of God’s Kingdom.

The enemy is cunning. He gives us what God has already planned to provide, making it seem like our prayers are being answered. Then, pride creeps in. We begin to see ourselves as “prayer warriors” without truly understanding what we should be praying for.

Jesus told the parable of a persistent widow who kept pleading with an unjust judge. The judge didn’t grant her request because of justice, but simply to stop her from bothering him. Many believers adopt this model of persistent prayer, not for the deeper things of God, but for blessings God has already placed in their lives. The devil then uses this to his advantage, satisfying surface-level desires so that we stop seeking God altogether. Once we believe we’ve received what we asked for, we no longer pursue Him.

This is the trap: we come to God until we’ve received what we want, then return to our lives, only showing up at a place called “church” once a week—perhaps just to collect the next instalment of our spiritual rations. We’ve been misled by voices claiming to be servants of God, urging us to ask for things already given, while neglecting the one thing that truly matters—the key to His Kingdom.

Seek And You Will Find

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

It is a sobering reality that many of us never move past the first word of Matthew 7:7—ask. While we speak of seeking, it is often only in the context of receiving “all these things” that God promised to add. Once again, the focus shifts to the added blessings, not the Kingdom or His righteousness. And if those blessings aren’t visibly attached to the Kingdom, we question the value of seeking it at all. This reveals just how deeply we’ve been influenced by teachings that condition us to pursue God mainly for worldly gains.

Contrary to this misunderstanding, Jesus in Matthew 7:7 is urging us to ask for a heart that longs to seek Him above everything else. Yet we are often led astray by well-meaning but misguided voices—people who showcase their blessings as the primary fruit of following God. Their testimony encourages us to ask for the blessings while neglecting the greater call: to seek the King and His Kingdom.

We must seek Him, not to remain confined within the boundaries of religion, but to walk freely in relationship with Jesus. He said, “I am the Way” (John 14:6), not just to a better life, but to lead us to the Father—His and ours—through His own body.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God… – Hebrews 10:19-20 (NIV)

Knock And It Shall Be Open

Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you,” but He also included seeking and knocking as essential stages in the process (Matthew 7:7). Yet, many of us attempt to bypass these steps, expecting to receive straightaway after asking. But can anyone legally enter a nation without going through the full process of immigration? Of course not. Yet, for many of our Christian brothers and sisters, “all things are possible” (Philippians 4:13)—even ignoring His standing order, spiritual law, and foundational truth.

Some may wonder why we need to knock at all if Jesus said everything we need has already been provided without effort. But this knocking isn’t a desperate pounding, like someone fleeing danger. It’s a quiet gesture—a way of saying to our Father, “I’ve been seeking You, and now I’m here.” Even though He already knows we’re coming, the act of knocking expresses our willingness to step forward boldly and receive what He has lovingly prepared.

Imagine arriving at a friend’s home at midnight due to travel delays. If we’re unsure it’s the right house, we might hesitate to knock, fearing we’ll disturb the wrong people. We may even wait for daylight to be more certain. In the same way, this spiritual knocking reflects confidence, not just in the blessing, but in having arrived at the right place by the right path. It’s not about sneaking in or claiming something that’s not ours. It’s about knowing we belong, and knocking with assurance to step into what’s already ours.

Furthermore, this knock reminds us that the door will now open automatically when we knock, because Jesus has opened the gates of heaven, allowing us to enter His Kingdom and sit with Him.

Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. – Hebrews 10: 21-22 (NIV)

Tragically, many believers are still living in spiritual hunger, even though a feast has already been prepared for them. Picture a starving person seated at the banquet table of a generous host. The food is plentiful and freely offered, yet he holds back, hesitant to eat while the host is present, waiting instead for a moment when he’s alone. That may be human instinct, but it’s not the mindset we’re called to have as children of the Kingdom.

We are meant to live freely and fully in the presence of our Father. Still, many of us continue to hide behind Jesus, unsure of our place. But we’ve been forgiven, accepted, and welcomed home. It’s time to let go of fear and unworthiness—and to step confidently into the Father’s house with the freedom of those who truly belong.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10: 23 (NIV)

What Should We Ask For?

The greatest blessing God has given us is eternal life (John 17:3) —there is no blessing greater than this. In granting us salvation, He also pours out His abundant grace, making us worthy even when we fall short of His glory. Through this grace, He gently leads us to ask for His Spirit, or to receive Him with a respectful knock at the door—a humble gesture of acknowledgement.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! – Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)

Unfortunately, the true meaning of Matthew 7:7 has been misunderstood or overlooked. But in the following verses, Jesus makes it clear what we should be asking for. He begins by affirming the character of a good father. Why? Because many, misled by so-called leaders are unknowingly embrace evil spirits and mistake them for the Spirit of God. These spirits often provide what God has already made available, deceiving people and blinding them to God’s true presence. This is why Jesus emphasises that a good father would never give bad gifts to his children. If we find ourselves holding on to harmful things, they are not from our Heavenly Father—they are from the father of lies.

Many believers fall into this trap, influenced by spiritual leaders who often act more as opportunists than shepherds. Overwhelmed by sorrow or confusion, some believers feel unable to pray and turn to intermediaries for help. These intermediaries exploit that dependence, encouraging silence by offering to “pray on their behalf.” In doing so, they block the personal relationship God desires with each of His children.

But Jesus calls us to ask, seek and knock in the right place—not at the doors of false teachers, but at the heart of the Father. God has given us His Holy Spirit to guard the salvation we’ve received until the day we step into eternity. If we ask the Father to reveal the character of the Holy Spirit, seek the way to receive Him, and knock gently in surrender, everything else will be taken care of by the Spirit Himself.

Even when we don’t understand the Word, or are too weighed down by sorrow to know how to pray—or even what to pray—the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He guides, teaches, and walks with us.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

Let us reflect on ourselves: Are we truly pursuing the righteousness of Jesus and the path that leads to His Kingdom? Or have we become content with the ways of this world and a mere outward form of religion? Have we invited God to dwell with us, or are we simply praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to elevate our own image as powerful servants? Instead, let us seek Him sincerely, asking for the true way to draw near to our Father, that we may ultimately receive His Spirit within us.