⬛️ Ask, Seek, Knock

Jesus teaches three lessons about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount.

• First, He warns against hypocritical prayer (Matthew 6:5-8).
• Second, He provides a model of proper prayer (Matthew 6:9-15).
• Third, He assures us of God’s response to prayer (Matthew 7:7-12)

The Lord emphasizes, “Ask, seek, knock.” This teaches us that God listens and responds to those who ask.

However, there are three stages in prayer:

1. Asking: This is a request made with our hearts and words.
2. Seeking: This involves action and effort on our part.
3. Knocking: This is persistence when we reach the door.

For example, if we pray for wisdom but don’t study diligently, we won’t gain wisdom.
But even diligent study alone can’t grant God-given wisdom. Only He can open the door.

1. Asking: A simple expression of desire without action.
2. Seeking: Taking steps toward the goal but not yet arriving.
3. Knocking: Reaching the destination and persistently asking for entry.

Jesus assures us that God responds with what is good and beneficial.
Even earthly fathers won’t give harmful things to their children.
Likewise, God doesn’t always give exactly what we request but always provides what is truly best for us.

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⬛️  Reflection Questions for Personal Meditation:

1. Do I approach God with trust, knowing He will respond in the best way?
2. How can I actively “seek” in faith while I wait for His answers?

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⬛️ Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. Share a time when God answered your prayer in an unexpected but better way.
2. How can we encourage one another to persevere in prayer, especially in the “knocking” stage?

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⬛️ Closing Prayer:

"Dear Lord, thank You for teaching us how to pray. Help us to trust Your good plans for us and to persevere in faith. May we ask with hope, seek with diligence, and knock with persistence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."