In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus gave us these praying principles: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Perhaps Jesus means this: We receive some requests from our Heavenly Father by simply asking. Other requests may require us to seek them. For example, if we need employment, we must not only ask God for a job but go out and seek a job and we will find it. Similarly, some needs we have may require knocking on various doors or trying alternative solutions. The promise would be that when we knock God will open doors for us. Jesus used the illustration of caring parents who give good gifts to their needy inquiring children because they love them. He said, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him”—when they diligently ask, seek, and knock.
