The Heart Behind the Prayer
"Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him." - Matthew 7:7-11
What if prayer wasn’t about getting the words just right, but about coming to God with the right heart? Jesus paints a picture of God as a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. The emphasis in Matthew 7 isn’t just on asking—but on the persistence and posture of the heart behind the asking.
You don’t need to impress God. You don’t need spiritual-sounding phrases or perfect theology in your prayers. God is looking for honest hearts, ones that come with faith, trust, and a willingness to surrender. The more we understand God's character, the bolder our prayers become—not because we’re confident in ourselves, but because we’re confident in Him.
This means that prayer isn't a transaction. It's a relationship. It’s not about convincing God to act—it’s about aligning our hearts to His.
Reflection Questions:
Prayer is not a formula—it’s faith in action. It’s surrender in motion.
Prayer:
Lord, strip away my pride and fear when I come to You. I want to pray with honesty, not perfection. Help me trust in Your goodness. Teach me to approach You like a child with their Father—bold, trusting, and full of expectation. Amen.
What if prayer wasn’t about getting the words just right, but about coming to God with the right heart? Jesus paints a picture of God as a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. The emphasis in Matthew 7 isn’t just on asking—but on the persistence and posture of the heart behind the asking.
You don’t need to impress God. You don’t need spiritual-sounding phrases or perfect theology in your prayers. God is looking for honest hearts, ones that come with faith, trust, and a willingness to surrender. The more we understand God's character, the bolder our prayers become—not because we’re confident in ourselves, but because we’re confident in Him.
This means that prayer isn't a transaction. It's a relationship. It’s not about convincing God to act—it’s about aligning our hearts to His.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you ever feel pressure to “say it right” when you pray? Why do you think that is?
- How does seeing God as a good Father change how you approach Him in prayer?
- What’s one thing you’ve been hesitant to bring to God? Try writing it out and praying through it.
Prayer is not a formula—it’s faith in action. It’s surrender in motion.
Prayer:
Lord, strip away my pride and fear when I come to You. I want to pray with honesty, not perfection. Help me trust in Your goodness. Teach me to approach You like a child with their Father—bold, trusting, and full of expectation. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Love You Receive, Not Love You EarnLove That Comes to RescueLove That Saves Also SendsWhen God Says “New."God Redeems the Past Instead of Erasing It.God Makes a Way Where None Seems Possible.Trust Comes Before ClarityWhen God’s New Work Confronts Old RulersThe God Who Finishes What He BeginsRenewal Begins With Who You Already AreRenewal Is a Process, Not a PerformanceRenewal Starts in the Way You ThinkRenewal Requires Letting GoRenewal Replaces, Not EmptiesRenewal Is Sustained by Who Rules Your HeartIdentity Is Declared, Not DiscoveredNew Identity Begins with Union, Not ImprovementThe Old No Longer Gets the Final SayThe New Is True Even When You Don’t Feel ItWalking in New Identity Means Agreeing with GodNew Identity Always Moves OutwardGod Establishes the Steps, Not YouGod Delights in Dependence, Not PerfectionFalling Is Assumed, Not DisqualifyingGod’s Response Is Grip, Not FrustrationFaith Is the Next Step, Not the Full PlanHeld by Nails So You’d Be Held by Grace
2025
March
The Way to TruthLiving Water in a Thirsty WorldThe Narrow PathKnown by GodEternal Life Starts NowThe Relentless Pursuit of LoveFaith in ActionGoing Where Others Won’tJesus Changes EverythingOvercoming Fear to ShineMaking Heaven CrowdedReflecting His LightSalt of the EarthLetting Your Light ShineFueling Your LightShining TogetherThe Call to Surrender
April
The Paradox of DiscipleshipFrom Fan to FollowerThe Cross We CarryThe Joy of Full SurrenderThe Fruit of SurrenderThe Perfect PlanThe Root of Our ProblemThe Perfect SacrificeFreedom PurchasedLiving in VictorySent with PurposeThe True Cost of LoveFrom Darkness to LightBreaking Down BarriersVictory, Not VictimhoodLiving in FreedomThe Invitation Still StandsThe Stone Was Already MovedBreaking Free from the GraveyardGrace Before PerformanceMeeting Jesus in the HurtStepping into BeliefFrom Doubt to DeclarationThe Daily InvitationLetting Go of the OldWalking in New Power
May
Breaking Free from the Chains of ShameStepping Boldly into New LifeLiving the Resurrection DailySelf-Reliance to SurrenderDaily Steps of FaithTrading Comfort for ClarityThe Beauty of Faithful ObediencePurpose in the WaitingOur First Response, Not Last ResortThe Heart Behind the PrayerTrusting in the UnknownTrusting Beyond Our UnderstandingThe Generous FatherGod's Will Is a Relationship, Not a PuzzleLiving with Renewed PurposeDaily Bread, Not Emergency MedicineWalking in the LightFrom Hearing to ObeyingThe Word in Our Darkest MomentsHolding Hands with JesusAnchored by Truth in a Drifting WorldThe Purpose in the PauseDiscipled by Speed, Developed by WaitingDivine Redirection, Not RejectionFaith Forged in the FurnaceThe Divine Appointment in DelayStrength for the Stretch
No Comments