Ask, Seek, Knock

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: 

Father, hallowed be your name. 

Your kingdom come. 

Give us each day our daily bread.

 And forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive 

everyone indebted to us. 

And do not bring us to the time of trial.” 

 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 

 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 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!” Luke 11:1-13

Loving Creator, you know all our needs

you are more ready to provide for us

than we are to recognize our need and ask

and you teach us to pray at all times.

We find ourselves without direction

in these times many doors seem locked

the entryways all seem dangerous

and it is not clear how we should move.

Yet when they asked you taught them

a simple prayer that we still say today

and you told us to ask, seek and knock 

for you are the source of all good gifts.

Help us to ask simply like a child

and to seek constantly with endless hope

and make us ready to knock when fearful

for you have promised to answer always. Amen.