When I woke up this morning, I started my day in prayer. As my New Year’s Resolution states, God should be the foundation of each day. Matthew 7:7 (NIV) reminds me of the simplicity of God’s promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

This verse has shaped my prayer journey, teaching me that faith, persistence, and trust unlock doors I once thought were closed. It reminds me of the time when I was bedridden, unable to think clearly, and unable to speak. God was my refuge.

Understanding the Verse

I love Matthew 7:7’s clarity. It presents three distinct actions: asking, seeking, and knocking, each revealing a different aspect of spiritual engagement. 

Ask emphasizes humility and trust. When I make requests to God in prayer, I do so as a humble servant. He is my provider, and I turn to Him with faith and openness. This demonstrates my dependence on Him to meet my needs.

Seek goes deeper, encouraging us to seek a closer relationship with God. Through this process, I uncover deeper truths about His purpose in my life and grow in faith.

Knock illustrates persistence and unwavering faith. Sometimes I get an answer immediately, but sometimes I have to wait. I’m reminded that my connection with God is strong and that I can trust His promises.

Asking, seeking, and knocking represent increasing levels of spiritual engagement. Each step builds upon the previous one, reminding us of God’s constant invitation to draw closer to Him.

My Personal Story of the Power of Prayer

Remembering my “rock bottom” in March 2022, I was at my lowest lows. My good friends were looking after me and called 9-11. I was taken to the emergency room in an ambulance. I have few specific memories of the trip to this day. The reality was far away.

I woke up in the hospital, unable to remember my name, the current year, or who was the president. After several tests, doctors determined that my cognition was at 23%. I couldn’t sit up, walk, or feed myself. 

After my vitals had stabilized, I was transferred to a nursing home/rehab facility. All I did was cry. When I became coherent, I asked for my cell phone. Why? To call my Mom and read the YouVersion Bible. Their response? “You have nothing!”

I was totally alone, trapped in delusional thoughts. God, please connect me with my faith. Please get me my cell phone so I can contact Mom and read the bible. 

3 days passed. I repeated the simple prayer, “God, give me strength,” hourly. He sent His angels to do the heavy lifting. With nursing, therapy, and medication, I finally regained a sense of reality. I could talk to my Mom on a landline phone and immediately asked for a Saint Katharine Drexel prayer card. Of course, she sent me five 😉

Lessons Learned About Prayer

I had a profound experience that strengthened my understanding of prayer and how it deepens my trust in God. When I shifted my focus from mere requests to meaningful conversations, I found greater faith that things would work out. Consulting my bible, I learned three key lessons inspired by Matthew 7:7.

• God’s Timing Is Perfect: The answers may not come immediately, but they align with His perfect plan and timing.
• Prayer Requires Action: It’s not enough to sit around and wait for things to happen. I had to actively ask in faith, then trust in God.
• Faith Overcomes Doubt: Trust in God’s wisdom and love. Faith comes in believing when you cannot see.

A Call to Prayer

Through life experience, I discovered that prayer is a powerful tool that connects me to God. It offers guidance, peace, and hope. Matthew 7:7 invites us to ask, seek, and knock, reminding us that He is always present no matter what challenges we face.

Embrace prayer as a solution for your trials in life. Utilize it’s power as a pathway to a deeper connection with God. Join me in trusting His plan and praying with faith. He will always answer!