For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:8-11
The way we approach God in prayer is determined by the way we see Him. Some people had unfortunate experiences with their parents growing up that make it easy for them to view God as being reluctant to provide good things for them. Yet God loves us beyond our ability to comprehend, and He delights to give to His children. “Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul” (Jeremiah 32:41).
Others fear that by asking for too much they may be taking away from what others need, or even be going beyond what God is able to provide. But He has boundless and unlimited resources, more than enough for any need we face. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine” (Psalm 50:10-11).
As Christians, God invites us to come to Him with confidence, not because we are good, but because He is, and the perfect righteousness of Jesus has been applied to our account. God does not get frustrated when we come to Him in prayer. He does not get tired of helping us. Instead He responds gladly and willingly, lavishing His grace on us and opening His unlimited storehouses to provide for our needs. God’s love for us answers the call when we pray, and He generously responds to the pleas of His children for help.
