Question: Matthew 7:7 in the Amplified version says, “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” When comparing with other versions of the Bible you don’t see the keep on asking part. What does it mean to keep asking? I thought we only needed to pray about something once and have faith that it is done. Adding “keep on asking” at least to me changes that verse a lot.
Matthew 7:7-11 (NASB)
Prayer and the Golden Rule
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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
What we really need to understand here, is what is the heart behind this scripture? Is God up in Heaven thinking, “If they had only asked one more time, I could have answered.”? No, the truth is this scripture isn’t as much about coming to God a certain amount as it is having a habit of coming to Him.
If we understand the truth, we know that He has already provided for us. Jesus as the answer because Jesus opened the door way between us and the Father. In John 10:9 (NASB) Jesus says, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” But what does it mean go in and out? It means that as much as we come we have access.
The heart of the New Testament was to bring mankind back to the presence of the Father. We know that in that presence, all that we could ever need exists. Coming to Father often is more about accessing what has already been given than it is about getting some answer. Knock, seek and knock repeatedly is about that continual approach to Him.
Another thing we need to remember is who and what Jesus was addressing. These people were well aware of their separation from God. This freedom of coming to the Father was not known to these people. Jesus was declaring that now this is possible, and as such we should continually come to Him. Sometimes because we have been spoiled by having the Holy Ghost and the right through His blood, we forget just how good we have it!
In our times when we are low, we need to remember this truth, that we have a place with the Father that was bought and paid for. This is a place of rest and hope that so many just didn’t and don’t know. Knock, seek, and ask and then keep on doing it! Jesus made a way for and this we should have confidence in. Not because of who we are but because of who He is.
You said it right, we need to come in faith. Faith can only be built and established on His character. The very act of continually coming to Him, in need, or otherwise, shows our faith. When we have surety in something we don’t even question it. In fact, people many times have more faith in things that are questionable than they do in God. What a shame when He has continually proven Himself!
So I encourage you brothers and sisters, keep coming to God! Keep seeking Him and keep asking Him! He will answer you and if you’re really after Him, He will show Himself to you. Not because you earned it, but because you wanted it!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
