Ask

Matthew 7:7-12

Ellen Lokker

Jesus gives us two important lessons in this passage of Matthew. The “Golden Rule” found in verse 12 directs us to treat others the way we would want them to treat us. This instruction is simple and could lead to such fulfillment, yet we struggle to live by it. Indeed, we confess weekly that we have “failed to love our neighbors as ourselves” and quietly resolve to do better in the days ahead. But how can we do better? Can we adhere more closely to the Golden Rule simply through willpower, as we would a New Year’s resolution to get more exercise?

On our own, we will never be able to live the Golden Rule. We need God’s help (lesson number 2). In verses 7 through 11 of this passage in Matthew, Jesus instructs us on the power of prayer. Jesus promises us that God will respond to our prayers and that He will give us what is good and appropriate for us, just as a parent responds to the needs of his child.

God knows what we need and will provide it. However, by telling us to “ask,” “seek,” and “knock,” Jesus calls us to be active participants in our relationship with God. When we spend time in prayer “asking,” “seeking,” and “knocking,” we grow in our relationship with God. We learn to know God better and to discern His will for us. We learn to depend on Him as our ally and source of strength. Whatever impediments we face in our efforts to love others as ourselves, God will help us overcome those obstacles and will enable us to love more fully when we raise our concerns to Him through prayer.

For a long time, I viewed God as a lofty figure who spoke through the Bible and through ministers and priests to His people. Our role was simply to listen and follow the directions. Later in life, I learned to appreciate the fact that God created us to be in relationship with Him. He is waiting for us to “ask,” “seek,” and “knock.” And how much more fulfilling life is when we do!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for creating us to be in relationship with you. Thank you for listening to us. Enable us to humble ourselves and bring our worries and concerns to You and to rely on You in all that we do. We want to live by Your Golden Rule but know we cannot do it on our own. We ask that You give us the grace to treat everyone we encounter today as we would want them to treat us. Amen.