Closer: 30 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Day 22: Ask

Matthew 7:7-12
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Our God is referred to as "Father" over and over in the scriptures. Some of us may not like the comparison quite frankly. The concept of a wonderful and gracious father may be completely foreign to anyone who has had a strained relationship with their earthly dad. Yet God thought it was important to reveal himself as a heavenly patriarch watching out for his kids.

Here in the scriptures Jesus implores his followers to simply ask, seek and knock. When we turn away from prideful arrogance and humble ourselves before God, He answers our cries. The answer may not be what we expected, but just like a loving Father, he will answer without fail.

With that said, you still have to ask. Such is the importance of prayer. Present God with your needs. Leave them at His feet.

And then, don't forget the "do to others" part. If God supplies your needs, how much should you give back to others?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to supply your needs and to show you ways you can supply others' needs as well.