Drawn to the Gospel

We’ve all been there: we know we need help, but we hesitate to ask. We’re not sure whether others will hear us or even take us seriously. However, note how Jesus addresses us:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Mat 7:7-8)

Think of how special it is to be one of His followers, one of God’s dearly loved children. Jesus calls us to be bold in our prayers. In the original Greek, the verbs indicate ongoing prayer: keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. God doesn’t mind being bothered by His children!

The reason is simple: we have a heavenly Father who loves to give. It’s the reason why Jesus then uses a picture of parent giving their children what they need (Mat 7:11). The accent lies in the heavenly Father’s giving, not so much in the disciples’ asking.

But prayer also has a horizontal dimension. Jesus links prayer with relationships: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mat 7:12).  Just as those who trust the Father will have their needs generously met, so they are to treat others with the same generosity.

Reflection:

• Where do I need to keep “asking, seeking, knocking” instead of giving up in prayer?
• How can I reflect the Father’s generosity in how I treat someone today?

This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.