Don’t Give Up Already

"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."
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

How often do you give up on prayer before seeing God's answer?

Maybe you've prayed about a difficult relationship, health challenge, or seemingly impossible situation, and you're tempted to give up because you don't see results.

But Jesus teaches you something powerful about prayer in Matthew 7:7-8: "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." Perseverance is a key in prayer.

Jesus invites you to persist in prayer–ask, seek, knock. Each action requires more effort than the last. Asking is a verbal request. Seeking means you’re looking intently. Knocking means you're continually trying to get through a door. God isn't calling you to passive prayer but to active, persistent communication with Him.

A 19th-century evangelist named George Mueller committed to praying every day for five young men to be saved. The first began following Jesus after 18 months. Five years later, the second came to Jesus and the third one year after that.

Thirty-six years later, Muller wrote this in his journal just before he died: “I hope in God and I pray on and I look for the answer.” 52 years later, the final two men came to Christ. When you persevere in prayer, God answers.

In fact, God promises you this in Matthew 7:8, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Consider one prayer request you've been tempted to give up on. Write it down and commit to pray for it daily for the next 30 days. Get a journal and write down how God works during this time. You’ll see God’s faithfulness and receive power from the One who can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)

What prayer request have you stopped praying about because you didn't see immediate results? Trust that God is both good and wise and keep asking, seeking and knocking. Your answered prayer might be just around the corner.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the promise of Your Word. I believe You answer every prayer in Your timing and in Your way. I put my trust in Your, Lord, and commit to praying faithfully for what You put on my heart. I praise You and thank You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.