Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Today’s reading is a perfect ending to a week filled with reminders to be persistent in our prayers with faith that God not only can answer us but will. I want to focus on one important word in this passage: knock. Knocking implies that a door is closed. Even when it feels like the door is closed on something you’ve been asking for, keep knocking. This goes back to our scripture reading from Monday. Persistence is key. Verse 8 here tells us that the door will be opened for the one who knocks.
After this full week of scripture, I have been incredibly convicted in the way I pray. I am so quick to give up. I don’t always have faith that God is going to do what I ask of Him. I have little persistence and I’m sometimes just downright lazy in my prayers. I love to read the David Guzik commentaries on blueletterbible.org. His commentary on this passage was particularly convicting for me. He says that we shouldn’t be surprised when God doesn’t answer our passionless prayers. OUCH.
As we come to the end of our 21 Days of Prayer, I hope that you will join me in persistently seeking the Lord, in believing He can and will do greater things than we can ask or imagine, and in asking until God changes and prepares our hearts for what He has for us in His timing.
Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- What do you know you need to be praying for passionately? What door have you been knocking on only to eventually give up? Let today be the day you knock boldly and without ceasing.
Family Devos is Moving!
On February 5th, we're moving! Our team is excited to offer the same great content with a new look and new tools to help you easily share scripture with your kids! Continue reading the Family Devos here during the 21 Days of Prayer Plan, but beginning February 5th, Family Devos will move to a new home in your inbox, the app, and the website.
Family Devo: Matthew 7:7-11
By: Lauren Strickland
When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.
Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset
Head
What do you think these verses are telling us about who God is? (A good, safe, generous, loving Father who loves to give good gifts to His children.)
Heart
What do you think are the “good things” God gives to those who ask Him? —A new bicycle? A fast car? Parents to stop fighting? Not always. I’ve learned that the things God gives are far better than stuff, and He is more constant than everything changing around us. God gives us His love, salvation, forgiveness, peace… Himself! He is always with us, no matter what!
Hands
Here’s what I challenge you to do this week:
1) Ask! Ask God to show you that He is with you throughout the day.
2) Seek! Look for Him throughout the day—in creation, in conversation, when people help you and you find ways to help others—look for Him!
3) Knock! Keep on Asking God for the good things we’ve talked about today, and keep on Seeking Him out throughout the day.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I thank You for listening when I talk to you. Thank you for always giving me what is best for me. Even when you say “no” or “not right now” to something I’ve asked for, I can trust You because You are wise and good, You are always with me, and You know what is best for me.