Matthew 7:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, to avoid them voicing the same concerns today, the Savior has demonstrated the achievability of His commandments through multiple convincing examples, culminating in a key aspect of this accessibility: the support of persistent prayer, which provides immense comfort during trials. He teaches us to not only strive but also to seek divine assistance, which will undoubtedly come to our aid, lightening our burdens and facilitating our endeavors. This is why He calls us to ask, assuring us that our requests will be answered. However, He emphasizes not just the act of asking but doing so with fervor and intent, encapsulated by the term "seek." In truth, those who earnestly seek will cast aside other thoughts to focus solely on their pursuit, much like individuals who, having lost something precious such as gold or a servant, fervently search for it. This captures the essence of the Savior’s call to "seek." Additionally, when He encourages us to "knock," He signifies the need to approach God with determination and heartfelt fervency. Therefore, do not be disheartened; do not exert less energy in your quest for virtue than you do in chasing after wealth. There are many occasions when riches elude you despite your repeated efforts. Yet, even with the understanding that success isn't guaranteed, you pursue them with all possible means. In contrast, when it comes to virtue—even with the assurance of divine assistance—you may hesitate to exhibit even a fraction of that same diligence. However, if immediate results do not manifest, do not lose heart. This is why Christ stated "Knock," indicating that even if the door is not opened right away, patience is necessary. If you doubt my words, at least consider this example (see Matthew 7:9).

eks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Here, to ask signifies a humble petition for spiritual strength and healing, enabling us to carry out His commandments; to seek embodies the pursuit of truth. Since the blessed existence encompasses both action and contemplation, the former demands great strength, while the latter necessitates the understanding of realities. Thus, one should earnestly seek strength for action and pursue understanding for contemplation, so that strength may be granted and knowledge may be attained. Nevertheless, possessing the knowledge of the righteous path in this life surpasses mere possession of good things. Once one has found the true path, the cherished possessions will naturally follow, revealed to those who earnestly knock. To illustrate the clarity of these three concepts—asking, seeking, and knocking—consider the case of a man hindered from walking due to weakened legs. Initially, he requires healing and fortification to rise and walk, which relates to the Lord’s call to “Ask.”

Thus, He commanded them to request with assurance and pledged to respond, emphasizing that their petitions should not be made lightly but with determination, as conveyed by the term ‘seek.’ Furthermore, they should approach with fervency and passion, reflected in the word ‘push.’

The misguided assertion that ‘what is predestined cannot change’ is addressed by St. Gregory the Great, who emphasizes that what the saints accomplish through prayer is indeed part of divine predestination, but receiving such blessings inherently requires the act of prayer; those who pray merit the gifts that God has predetermined to provide.

St. Gregory suggests that while God has decided what to grant and to whom, these gifts are accessed through prayer, functioning as a necessary means. For instance, if God has ordained someone to have a long life, it will not come without nourishment; if He has chosen to restore health to a sick individual, it will be accompanied by treatment; similarly, the harvests of the land are given but require the toil of the farmer. Thus, God has established a divine order where His gifts are dispensed at His discretion and always in conjunction with prayer.

Some idle souls, reluctant to engage in prayer, argue that it would be better if God bestowed all necessities freely without the need for effort or supplication. These individuals not only slander God but also fail to appreciate His immense mercy in allowing us the privilege of appealing to Him, enabling us to experience profound joy when we receive His gifts, as if earned rather than given without cause. Just as a father might toss a coin to his child instead of handing it directly, allowing the child to discover it and take joy in the accomplishment, so God invites us to seek His divine gifts through prayer and diligence, granting us delight and honor in the process.

It is essential to recognize the immense honor granted to humanity in the ability to pray to the Almighty. Consider the esteem one holds in communicating with those in positions of authority— a servant to his master, or a subject to a ruler! When we pray, we converse with God Himself, which is the ultimate honor. St. John Chrysostom notes that when we pray, we rise to the level of angels and even surpass them; they conceal their faces in reverence, while we have the boldness to present our suffering, neediness, and hardships directly to Him, as beloved members of His household, confident that we shall receive what we request. ‘Ask, and it shall be given you,’ is God's promise to us.

However, as many focus solely on material gain, it is imperative to illustrate the benefits and power of prayer, the importance of glorifying God, and how pleading for our needs serves both physical and spiritual purposes. There is nothing beyond the reach of our requests, provided they align with what is inherently good and are made with genuine intent. Our Savior’s declarations remain true: ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened’ (Matthew 7:7, 8). What child wouldn’t feel free to ask their father for what is beneficial and necessary? How much more, then, can we approach God with our requests? Unlike earthly fathers, who may be flawed or untrustworthy, God is ‘the Father of mercies and all comfort.’ He cannot be deceived, nor does He lie, loving humanity as His children and delivering on every promise made.

We shall not be let down: God will surely deliver justice for His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night, demonstrating His patience even when they may not see immediate answers (Luke 18:7). The urgent prayers of the faithful represent their unwavering pursuit of divine support. Through the outcomes of such prayers, which God honors, we are led to understand their intended purposes. The Evangelist Luke affirms that God will bring justice to His chosen ones, liberating them from the bonds imposed by their passions and adversaries.

The divine treasure of God's gifts remains concealed from you due to your transgressions; seek it earnestly with the illumination of His word, and you will surely discover it within your heart. The awareness of your sinfulness and unworthiness may rob you of the courage to approach your heavenly Father and stand before Him; therefore, knock upon the door of His merciful heart, and it shall be opened to you. Anyone, regardless of how sinful they may be, who sincerely asks will receive; whoever diligently seeks will find; and to those who persistently knock, the door will be opened. After this unchanging promise from the very Truth of eternity, which unrepentant sinner can truly despair of Your mercy or their salvation? To further assure believers of the heavenly Father's unwavering willingness to listen to our cries and to generously grace us with His goodness, the Saviour provides as a model the affection earthly fathers have for their children.... (see Matthew 7:9-10).

This is why He exhorts us to make our requests known, promising that our petitions will be answered: “ASK,” He declares, “AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU.”

It is essential to ask because the Heavenly Benefactor advises against casting pearls before swine, just as He Himself refrains from bestowing blessings upon those unwilling to seek Him, as their closed hearts prevent them from receiving His grace. Furthermore, He encourages us to ask not casually but with fervor and determination: “SEARCH, AND YOU WILL FIND—” with patience and perseverance; “KNOCK, AND IT WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.” As Venerable Macarius the Great remarks, a child searching for its mother cries out, and the mother, filled with compassion, delights in the child’s earnestness, embracing and nourishing it. In a similar manner, the loving God responds to the soul yearning for Him.

“Therefore, do not be disheartened,” St. John Chrysostom reassures us. “Knock at the door of God's mercy; if you do not receive an immediate answer, do not lose hope.” This is why Christ urges us to “Knock,” emphasizing that even if the door does not open right away, we must remain patient. When we persistently request something from others, we may come across as bothersome; however, with God, it is quite the opposite: refraining from asking irritates Him more than the act of request. Continuously ask, for though the response may not be immediate, it will surely come. “Ask,” advises one ascetic, “with the voice of prayer; seek with the heart; and make your Christian charitable actions knock on the door of God’s mercy.” Thus, St. Chrysostom explains, the door is locked to encourage your persistent efforts; it does not yield immediately to your inquiries.

However, while pursuing the Kingdom of Heaven, remember that this journey cannot solely rely on your own efforts without divine assistance; thus, pray, ask, and it will be given to you. Those who diligently seek will always find, and those who knock persistently will have the door opened to them; likewise, whoever asks continuously will receive. Is there anyone among you who, if his son requests bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, would give him a serpent? Therefore, if you, being flawed, understand how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father provide good things to those who ask Him? Many express discontent with God, claiming they do not receive what they request immediately; from such complaints, some fall into despair or—worse—unbelief. “If you do not receive quickly,” Chrysostom notes, “do not lose hope. Christ encouraged you to knock to indicate that if the door does not open promptly, you must be patient.” Consistent prayer will result in receiving what you ask for, even if not immediately, you will certainly be granted it. The door is closed to encourage your persistence; it does not respond to your request right away for a purpose. Therefore, continually ask, and you shall indeed receive. Yet, you might wonder, “What if I ask and do not receive?” To address this concern, the Savior shares a parable illustrating not only how to request but what to request. Is there anyone among you who, when his son asks for bread, would give him a stone? So if you don’t receive, it may be because you ask for something harmful. Being a child is not enough to ensure you receive; asking for things unhelpful actually hinders your ability to receive. Seek not worldly things, but rather everything spiritual, and you shall assuredly receive. Why then do you claim not to receive even in praying for spiritual matters? Likely it is because you either do not knock earnestly or have rendered yourself unworthy of what you seek, or you have ceased to ask too soon. However, you may object, “Why didn’t the Savior specify what we should request?” In fact, He has already offered clear guidance (St. John Chrysostom. Conversations on the Gospel of Matthew). He taught: Seek you first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (that is, material needs) will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Should we truly regard all earthly needs as stones to be avoided in our petitions to our Heavenly Father? Did Christ not instruct us to pray for our daily bread? This daily bread encompasses all that is essential for human survival; thus, how can we conclude, as St. John Chrysostom suggests, that we should not pray for earthly provisions? After all, Jesus prayed for healing from physical ailments and was known to heal the sick, implying it is permissible to request health and relief from suffering. Since physical well-being is vital for sustaining life, it is as temporal a good as food, drink, clothing, and shelter. Therefore, it must be acknowledged that Christ did not prohibit seeking God’s provision for earthly or temporal goods as needed. When He urged, “Ask and it shall be given unto you,” He primarily intended for requests that lead to everlasting life, promising His followers divine support in carrying out His commands and bearing the yoke He set before them. In reality, this yoke is not as burdensome as it might initially appear. All of Christ's commands and yoke can be summarized in His concluding instruction: “In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

God is aware of our needs even before we voice them, yet our prayers serve as a testament to our trust in Him and our devotion. He is ever ready to fulfill our genuine needs, pardon our transgressions, bolster us against challenges, and redeem our souls when we reach out to Him with faith and hope.