1 September | Teens
«“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you….For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.» Matthew 7: 7,8
You've probably already had the experience of knocking on a door waiting for someone to open it. It could be at a friend's house or when you've forgotten your house key. Knocking on a door and waiting for an answer can bring a feeling of anxiety. However, Jesus brings us an incredible teaching about the act of knocking on doors.
In Matthew 7:7 and 8, Jesus says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened.” This means that, when we ask God for something in prayer, He hears and answers. It may not be exactly the way we expect, but He always answers.
When Jesus talks about knocking and the door being opened, He is teaching us about persistence in prayer. It's not just “knocking” once and walking away. It's to keep knocking, keep praying, until the answer comes. God wants us to be persistent and trust that He is listening, and then He will open the door!
Remember, God knows what's best for us. Sometimes we may ask for something that isn't the best, and God, as a loving Father, gives us what we really need. Know that He doesn't give us what we want, but what we need! So, the next time you pray, think about it: keep knocking, keep asking and trust that the door will be opened at the right time.
Take Action
Prepare something simple and tasty to eat, like cookies, and knock on your neighbors' doors to deliver it. You'll notice that some people may not answer, while others will open the door and receive your gift.