“So I say to you: 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. (Luke 11:9-10 NIV)
At first glance, this appears to be an open invitation to ask for anything you want from God. But I don’t believe that Jesus intended this to be like an unlimited gift certificate at a toy store. In this context, he is talking about praying for our needs, not for our wants.
An Amazing Promise
But even with that limitation, this is an amazing promise that Jesus has given to us. We have a loving heavenly Father who cares about us. We can come to him in confidence, knowing that he will provide for us. The one who cares for the birds of the field will care also for his loved ones.
This is not an excuse to be lazy, thinking that God will supply all your needs while you sit back and take it easy. Instead, it is an assurance to God’s children that we can depend on him. I can faithfully follow him with the assurance that he will take care of me. Ask, and it will be given to you!