Praying With Resilience: Ask, Seek, Knock – Matthew 7:7-12

In Matthew 7, His words ask, seek, knock aren’t just commands to be spiritual go-getters; they’re invitations to dependence, persistence, and vulnerability with a good Father who knows what we need.

Whether we’re standing in wide-open spaces of clarity or squeezed in the tight canyons of disappointment, Jesus teaches us a way of prayer that forms resilience. Together, we’ll explore how persistent prayer doesn’t just change outcomes, it transforms us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prayer is not a formula, it is formation – Jesus is not offering a vending machine approach to prayer. He is inviting us into a relationship that forms us through dependence, persistence, and trust.
2. Dependence on the Father’s Goodness – Asking God places us in humility. Jesus reminds us that God is not distant or reluctant. He is a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children.
3. Persistence strengthens our faith – To keep asking, seeking, and knocking is not about persuading God. It is about being formed through the practice. Faith grows in the tension between what we pray and what we experience.
4. Vulnerability leads to deep trust – Prayer brings our disappointment, grief, and questions to the surface. Jesus invites us to bring all of that to the Father, not to hide it. That is where trust begins.
5. This is how the Kingdom is formed in us – Asking, seeking, and knocking shapes a life that can withstand the storms. Not because everything gets easier, but because we are rooted in the One who is always faithful.