Matthew 7:7–11
“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, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will I give him a serpent? 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!”
The verses in Matthew 7:7–11 are often used as a basis for thinking about answers to prayer, so this section is frequently titled “Answering of Prayers.” Many teachings have given the impression that a sincere prayer will certainly be granted, as if believers have a special right to present their requests. It is sometimes depicted as if prayer must reach a certain “temperature” to be answered—if it’s only “40 degrees” it’s not answered, but if it reaches “100 degrees” it will be. Actually, this kind of concept comes from the thinking patterns of pagan religions. It even appears in wayang” stories. In some religions, there are specific tricks to make prayers answered—certain prayers to make a child obedient, to obtain a good spouse, or reciting particular verses to drive away spirits, bring blessings, and so on.
Christianity does not actually recognize that concept and should not teach it. Ironically, that mindset has entered Christian theology and Christian life. For new Christians, the emphasis is rightly on earnestness in prayer. But for mature Christians, the emphasis is on striving to understand God’s will. To understand God’s will, one must have spiritual sensitivity. To have sensitivity, one must know the truth. To know the truth, one must study diligently and persistently. From a person’s knowledge of truth, to a certain degree, they will understand that they no longer belong to themselves. Christ died for us, and now if we live, we live entirely for Him. If so, do we still have the right to personal requests? Reaching this level is extraordinarily difficult.
If the concept of answered prayer is understood through the lens of petitioning in common religions, those verses are immediately assumed to guarantee that every prayer will be answered, or to instruct how prayers can be granted. But in Christianity, we believe that if a person has been redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and lives wholly for the Lord, they must have no interests other than serving Him. The question is: do they still have a right to make requests? If they do have requests, those requests must relate to the interests of the Lord who owns their life. Meanwhile, many sermons teach that we come to church to pray so that our requests will be granted and our problems solved. That may be understandable for new Christians. But mature Christianity makes each person a friend of God. Every individual should be able to relate directly to God without a mediator. If we become His friend, He will be involved in our lives because we are His friend. How do we become His friend? Do not love the world.
When we ask in Jesus’ name—in line with John 14:14—it means our requests must fall within His will. True prayer is not about using Jesus’ name to compel answers, but about ensuring our desires match His purposes. Using Jesus’ name signifies submission to His plans, not a formula for guaranteed results.