*excerpt from Praying for a Change Devotional

My kids have this thing they do. I call it “hovering.” They call it “Dad, I need you attention right now, even though it’s not life or death and no one’s bleeding, I need to see your eyeballs RIGHT NOW!” Or something like that.  

They will stand next to me, put their head on my shoulder, and sigh in my ear. Some days I tell them, “This is my ‘No-No’ square. Don’t touch me anywhere.” On my better days, I ask them what they need.  

Most times they want something to eat, drink, or a new app downloaded on a device. My oldest usually has a high-priced pair of sneakers he wants. You know what my response will be? “Christmas is coming.”  

What Do You Want?

The other day, my youngest pulled the old “hover-head-shoulder-sigh” approach. “Yes, can I help you,” I said like a British butler.

“Dad, when a movie maker person wants to use an actor in a movie and another movie person wants to use the same actor in a movie…do you know what I mean?”  

“Yes, my love. I understand what you mean.” 

“Well, I’m wondering how does that work?” she asked.

She didn’t need a toy or a treat. She just wanted some time. So, we had a nice little chat about movies, actors, production schedules, and theater release dates. You know, the usual stuff dads and daughters chat about.  

Taking the Next Step

I loved that conversation. We connected over something she’d been thinking about. I don’t know that I had the right answers, but it sure was fun watching the wheels turn in her head. I love watching things grow. My grass…not so much. But my kids, you betcha.

I love watching people take their next step in their walk with God. I love it when someone pursues a dream they’re passionate about. Watching people take steps of faith and risk certainty for the clarity that God is calling them to launch out into a new adventure is something that lights me up. All they have is the wind at their back and their eyes of faith fixed on God.  

God Loves To Hear Your Voice 

Sometimes my kids need things. Who am I kidding? My kids need things all the time. But there are times when they just want to talk. They want to get something off their chest. They want to understand why something is the way it is. Why do some kids say unkind things? Will people ever stop hurting each other? Why does a trip to Papa and Grandmas take so long? Why does Christmas feel like it will never get here? What is heaven going to be like? Will you and mom ever stop kissing? Just the everyday run of the mill kind of questions.  

Sometimes my kids will hesitate to ask a question. They might be afraid I’ll say no. They might not be able to verbalize what they’re trying to say. Or they think I’m too busy to take the time to listen.  

Jesus Teaches Us How to Ask

In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us about prayer. But more so, he tells us about how our Heavenly Father handles our prayers.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Matthew 7:7-12 NLT

Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock. What’s the difference? 

Asking means that we need to know an answer to a question. Asking means that we need God to provide for a need.  

Seeking means that we are trying to find something we’ve lost; we’re looking for something we value. Seeking means we are trying to uncover something that’s hidden.  

Knocking means that we want to be on the other side of the door. We want access to what is beyond the door. We want to get into the room, and we want to leave the cold, the emptiness, and the uncertainty.  

Keep Asking

Jesus uses the word “keep” in relation to each of those actions. Why? Jesus wants us to keep asking even after we’ve received. He wants us to keep seeking even after we’ve found. He wants us to keep knocking even after the doors been answered. Why? God wants us to realize it’s not about receiving, finding, or being answered. He wants us to engage him, pursue him, and connect with him continually.  

God wants you to ask him the stupid, silly, and foolish questions. He wants you to ask the hard, heart-breaking, and doubt-filled questions. He’s okay with that. He can handle that. He’s God after all; He can handle a lot of things.  

“Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!”

Andrew Murray

He’s Waiting for You to Ask

Jesus wraps it up with an illustration. If a child asks for bread or a fish, will a parent give them a stone or a snake? Of course not. He then uses our humanity to reveal God’s divinity. Jesus says, “If you’re an imperfect, sinful parent, and you know how to love on your kids, how much more will a perfect and holy God know how to give his kids good gifts when they ask?”  

God is just waiting for you to ask. Will he always drop a thousand dollars into your bank account? Nope. But he wants you to ask the question. He wants you to talk to him. He’s waiting. He’s willing, and he’s listening.  

I’m praying that you’ll take the time, even risk it to ask God, to engage God. 

***This excerpt was taken from Praying for a Change, a 30-Day Devotional.

More Encouragement

If you enjoyed today’s devotional, check out Matt’s devotional, Praying for a Change. Be sure to check out the accompanying study guide to work through with a small group as well. You can also read my post, How to Know if God is Answering my Prayer.