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:

• 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.