'Ask and You Shall Receive' Bible Meaning of Matthew 7:7

　　"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" ~ Matthew 7:7 KJV

　　In John 16:24, Jesus stated, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”.

　　What did Jesus mean by this? Does this mean to ask for anything we want, even if you're not a Christian or asking for righteous things?

　　GotQuestions.org provides excellent insight into the true meaning and significance of this well-known biblical statement, saying:

　　Our prayers to God are not unlike our requests of men. Our prayers are based in a relationship, as Jesus points out in Matthew 7:8. If a child asks his father for something the father knows to be hurtful, the request is denied. The child may be frustrated and unhappy when he doesn’t get what he asked for, but he should trust his father. Conversely, when the child asks for something that the father knows is beneficial, the father will provide it eagerly because he loves his child.

　　We have another condition to the promise of “ask and receive” in John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Here, Jesus does not promise His disciples anything and everything they want; rather, He instructs them to ask “in my name.” To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray on the basis of Jesus’ authority, but it also involves praying according to the will of God, for the will of God is what Jesus always did (John 6:38). This truth is stated explicitly in 1 John 5:14, “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Our requests must be congruent with the will of God.

　　The promise of “ask and receive,” even with its conditions, can never disappoint. There is no chance of things we need not being in God’s will. He promises to supply what we need when we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Of course, what we want is not always what we need. If what we want is not in God’s will, then we really don’t want to receive it. God knows what is good for us and is faithful and loving to say “no” to selfish and foolish prayers, no matter how much we want what we’re asking for.

Bible Commentary on 'Ask and You Shall Receive'

　　This is to be understood of asking of God in prayer, for such things as are wanting; whether of a temporal nature, as food and raiment, which Christ, in the former chapter, had warned against an immoderate and anxious concern for; or of a spiritual nature, as grace, and wisdom to behave in a proper manner, both towards God and men: and such, who ask according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and under the direction, guidance, and influence of the Spirit, who ask in faith and fear, and with submission to the divine will, shall have what they ask for; not as what they deserve, but as a free gift.

　　Seek, and ye shall find.

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　　This is still meant of prayer, and of seeking God, his face and favor: which such shall find, who seek in a right way, by Christ, and with their whole hearts, diligently:

　　knock and it shall be opened unto you

　　as beggars do, who use much importunity for relief and assistance. So men should stand and knock at the door of mercy, which will not always be shut against them. Faith in prayer is a key that opens this door when a poor soul finds grace and mercy to help it in time of need. Our Lord's design is to express the nature, fervor, and constancy of prayer, and to encourage it. (Excerpt from John Gill's Bible Commentary)

Bible Verses Related to 'Ask and You Shall Receive'

　　Matthew 21:22 ~ "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

　　James 4:3 ~ "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

　　John 14:13-14 ~ "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

　　John 15:7 ~ "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

　　John 16:24 ~ "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

　　Luke 11:13 ~ "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

　　Psalm 37:4 ~ "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Prayer for Guidance

　　Direct our minds by your gracious presence.

　　Watch over our paths

　　and guide us with your love

　　through the hidden snares of life.

　　Fix our hearts on you as we go forward,

　　and following in faith,

　　arrive at your goal;

　　through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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