3 Steps to Prayer & How God Answers | Matthew 7:7-11

In Matthew 7:7-11, there is so much to learn about prayer. But, there is even more to learn about how God answers prayer. He answers in His way, in a perfect way and in a loving way, and He gives us so much more than we ask or imagine.

There can be no way of over-emphasizing the importance of prayer – for us who have professed a faith in Jesus Christ, for the one who wants to approach the very throne of God, for the one who wants to determine the will of God in his or her life, for the one who wants to possibly even set the course straight as it can be addressed in prayer. Prayer is not just essential, it’s the very core, foundation and the instrument that God has given us to keep us close to Him.

Matthew 7:7-11 is no doubt a lesson on prayer. It also reflects how God will always answer prayer. He will answer in His way, in a perfect way and in a loving way, as God’s purpose for us is to discover who He is and where we are in relation with Him and what is ours to enjoy.

More often than not, we come to God because of something we want or desire. And it’s through prayer that sometimes that want or desire can actually be discovered as something greater than just what we want – there is a deeper need. God wants what’s best for us, and as we approach Him in prayer, we can discover what that is.

This passage of Scripture sets before us three steps in the discipline of prayer.

Step 1: Ask

Ask, and it will be given to you … (v. 7a)

Asking makes the request known. Prayer brings to our attention what we recognize as the need. This asking is initiated, hopefully, by the right motives. Hopefully. We are cautioned in Scripture to be careful how we are to approach God in prayer (James 4:2b-3).

Prayer isn’t a way of manipulating God to get what we want. Prayer is an avenue of discovery of what God wants for us. It’s not so much trying to change the will of God, but for our will to be conformed to His. So as you approach Him, ask Him what is on your heart.

Step 2: Seek

… seek, and you will find … (v. 7b)

Seeking is prayer put into action – it’s being deliberate and really trying to find out what God wants for us or what we need to do for Him. It’s first searching for our answers in Scripture, taking the steps to hear God through His Word (Psalm 119:105).

Seeking the counsel of mature believers is another way of seeking an answer to prayer. There are people whom you have come to trust as a brother or sister in the faith, and you can go to them for counsel. You can seek what God is maybe saying to you through them (Proverbs 18:24; 27:9).

And there is the seeking of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever begun to pray and don’t know how to start? The Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Step 3: Knock

… knock, and it will be opened to you. (v. 7c)

Knocking suggests a degree of persistence. Be persistent in prayer with the understanding that as you have summoned the one on the other side of the door, they’re there for you, because the promise has been made that they would be.

Our persistent prayer can not only serve as a test of our sincerity, but it can also serve as a way to provide a clear understanding of what we really need.  It leads us to the discovery of what God wants for us. Prayer is a progressive experience and developing relationship with the one who holds the answers to our petitions.

God Wants to Do So Much More

There is so much more in this passage about prayer. But, there is even more to discover what it says about how God answers our prayer.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (v. 11)

As much as we want to give our children good gifts, how much more does God? It’s all about God and what He wants to do for us as a Father who loves His children. God does more than anything we could possibly even ask of Him. Just read these Scriptures:

• When we’re worn out: Matthew 11:28-30.
• When we need wisdom: James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6.
• When life is a mess and we need peace: John 14:27; Psalm 29:11.
• When we need everyday stuff: Psalm 145:15-16.
• When God gave so much more than we asked or imagined: John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:32; John 10:27-29; John 1:16.
• When Jesus was leaving: John 14:16.
• When we think God gives inconsistently: James 1:17.
• When we are seeking holiness: 1 Timothy 4:4-5.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (v. 8)

Guest Speaker: Ron Thomas

Discussion Starters

1. Why is prayer so important to the Christian life?
2. What are some reasons why we might not pray regularly?

Step 1: Ask

1. Why should we ask God for things if He is all-knowing?
2. How might we approach prayer with the wrong mindset?

Step 2: Seek

1. Why is it good to read the Bible before praying?
2. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in prayer?
3. Why is this significant?

Step 3: Knock

1. What did Jesus mean by “knock, and it will be opened to you”?
2. How does persistent prayer affect our relationship with God?

God Wants to Do So Much More

1. Does God always answer prayer?
2. By what means does God give answers?
3. How do God’s answers compare to what you asked for?
4. What can these answers tell you about your relationship with the Lord?
5. What are some things God has given us?