In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus provides a powerful lesson on the importance of persistence and faith in our relationship with God. The phrase “ask and it shall be given” underscores the idea that we are encouraged to approach God boldly and confidently with our needs, trusting in His generosity and goodness. Through this passage, Jesus reassures us that God, as a loving Father, is eager to respond to our sincere requests.
Just as human parents would not deny their children good things, God offers even greater blessings to those who seek Him. This teaching emphasizes not only God’s willingness to answer but also the value of actively seeking, asking, and knocking with faith and perseverance.
Imagine….You come from a wealthy family. You’ve just turned 16. Your dad takes you to the Audi dealership in town and tells you to pick out any car you want. Do you go to the back used car lot–filled with junkers going to the auction or the junkyard??!!! Do you pick out the rusted-out car with ripped seats that won’t start?
Or, you are stranded in a foreign city. You find a phone booth and manage to make a collect phone call to your dad. He is a multi-billionaire. He can wire you money wherever you want it to go. You can hire a limousine and be sleeping in the Ritz-Carlton tonight, after dinner at a famous restaurant. Instead…..you ask for bus fare.
Are we doing the same thing with Jesus spiritually?
Our Father is the Creator of the Universe. The Alpha and Omega.
Are we asking him for pocket change when He wants to give us the best there is in the universe?
Ask and Receive with Confidence
In John 16:23-24, Jesus assures us that whatever we ask the Father in His name will be granted, so that our joy may be complete. Similarly, Isaiah 45:19 reminds us that God’s promises are not hidden or spoken in vain—He is righteous and declares what is right. When we ask in faith and seek Him earnestly, we can trust in His faithfulness to answer.
What does that MEAN???
This passage from Psalm 37 highlights key principles for living a life of trust and devotion to God. Consider these insights:
- Trust in the LORD and Do Good: (Verse 3) Emphasizes the importance of faith in God and aligning actions with His will. When you trust and act righteously, God promises stability and provision.
- Delight in the LORD: (Verse 4) Finding joy in your relationship with God leads to the fulfillment of your heart’s desires, as they align with His perfect plan.
- Commit Your Way to the LORD: (Verse 5) Surrendering your plans to God and relying on Him ensures that He will work everything out according to His purpose.
- Righteousness and Justice Revealed: (Verse 6) Trusting in God means that in due time, your righteousness and just actions will shine as brightly as the noonday sun.
- Rest and Patience in the LORD: (Verse 7) Teaches the value of patience and peace, even when others seem to prosper through wrongdoing, reminding you that God’s timing and justice are perfect.
These verses encourage believers to trust, delight, and commit to God, promising that He will guide, provide, and vindicate their faithfulness in His time.
Love this kind of topic? Explore more with our Bible study topics for young and adults—perfect for deepening your faith and understanding!
What Should We Ask For?
(Be careful, you just might turn into a 1967 Mustang!)
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For him, that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
SOLOMON: THE TEMPLATE FOR GETTING EVERYTHING WE WANT… AND THEN SOME!
In 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (KJV), we encounter a profound moment between God and King Solomon. After Solomon ascends to the throne following his father David’s reign, God appears to him in a vision, offering a remarkable opportunity: Solomon may ask for anything he desires. In a demonstration of humility and foresight, Solomon requests wisdom and knowledge to lead the vast and numerous people of Israel effectively.
God acknowledges the purity of Solomon’s request, noting that he did not ask for personal wealth, honor, or a long life. As a reward for this selfless desire, God not only grants Solomon the wisdom he sought but also blesses him with unprecedented riches and honor. This passage highlights the virtue of seeking wisdom above material gain and illustrates God’s generosity in response to Solomon’s noble heart.
Question: What will glorify God?
Is what we are asking for be requested in JESUS’ NAME?
Are we asking for Godly things?
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
(Sometimes God changes the outcome…and sometimes He changes the pray-er.”)
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
(See the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-28)
What Should We Not Ask For?
God is not a genie in a bottle wanting to grant you a wish just to feed your carnal desires. You may wonder after you ask for something and don’t receive it why God isn’t answering. Maybe God is answering and the answer is “NO!”
I have shared before with my friend in school who said she didn’t believe in God because she prayed for some toy and didn’t receive it.
If we look at the first verse, “Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent?”
So, is the opposite true? If we ask for a serpent, will our heavenly father say, “No problem, here you go!” OR….is our heavenly Father judicious and caring of us so that if we ask for something that is not in our best interests, that he will say, “No, my daughter / son, that will hurt you. I’m not going to deliver this to you.”
Just like your mom wouldn’t give you the keys to the family car when you were 6 no matter how much you begged and promised to drive slow…
Many preachers use these verses to promote a “prosperity doctrine,” to imply that God wants you to be rich and have lots of “things.” But God is not interested in you having more stuff (as if we in the U.S. need more material things). God is interested in you having more of HIM!!!
Jesus is not interested in your craving for material wealth, He is interested in your seeking of spiritual gifts,
[1Co 12:31 KJV] 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (goes on to write about CHARITY…)
James has this to say about what we ask for…
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Will God Really Give Me What I Ask For?
Here are powerful scriptures that emphasize God’s faithfulness, the importance of faith, unity in prayer, and abiding in His love. These verses remind us of His promises, the power of prayer, and the joy that comes from walking closely with Him.
Isaiah 45:19
God declares that He has spoken openly, not in secret. He did not tell the descendants of Jacob to seek Him in vain. The Lord speaks what is right and true.
Matthew 18:19-20
Jesus assures that if two people agree on anything they ask for, God in heaven will do it for them. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name, He is present with them.
Matthew 21:21-22
Jesus teaches that with faith and no doubt, believers can perform great acts, like telling a mountain to move into the sea. Whatever they ask in prayer, if they believe, they will receive.
Ephesians 3:20-21
God is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine, through His power working in us. To Him be glory in the church forever and ever.
John 15:7-11
If believers remain in Jesus and follow His words, they can ask what they wish, and it will be done. This glorifies God when they bear fruit and show they are His disciples. Jesus encourages them to remain in His love by keeping His commandments, just as He remains in His Father’s love. He shares this so that their joy may be complete.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
This Sounds Too Good to Be True. What’s the Catch?
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
People don’t like this part…. Why do we get what we want? Because we are walking in God’s will! We are in tune with the mind of Christ. We’re keeping his commandments. We’re doing those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Does this describe our lives?
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Is what you’re asking for going to glorify THE FATHER?
Are you just asking for yourself or are you asking because you want JESUS to be glorified???
Remember Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:19+)….
Daniel Lantis has been a pastor and professional speaker for over 41 years, dedicating his life to serving Christ. Throughout his journey, he has given generously, whether it’s money, cars, or buildings, and has never lacked anything in return. He encourages others to give their resources to Jesus, trusting that He will provide abundantly.
