Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
A long time ago I was told that the only way to raise money for the ministry was to get out there. Knock on people’s doors and ask them to support your Mission. Tell them the stories about needy families and homeless people living in the woods. The more people you seek out the more that will support your efforts. The people that were saying this were using the passage above as the basis for their teaching. They were wrong.
Jesus starts by stating in a factual tone to ask, seek and knock. For those that do this will receive, find or have the door opened. There is no formula required, no prerequisite no condition is needed to go before God with our needs. Everyone that goes before the Father will be heard. The point Jesus is making is that God is the one, the only one, who hears, is present and responds to our deepest needs. Using his words in any context apart from God is a misapplication.
The world wants so desperately to be heard and to be comforted by a god. But it is always on their terms. This is the reason so many get frustrated with “god” or “spiritual” things. Their petitions go unanswered in the time allotted. Circumstances do not change to their liking. Others don’t change.
