Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 7:7-11

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" — Matthew 7:7-11 (ASV)

Prayer is the appointed means for obtaining what we need. Pray; pray often; make a business of prayer, and be serious and earnest in it. Ask, as a beggar asks for alms. Ask, as a traveller asks for the way. Seek, as for a thing of value that we have lost, or as the merchant who seeks goodly pearls.

Knock, as one who desires to enter the house knocks at the door. Sin has shut and barred the door against us; by prayer we knock. Whatever you pray for, according to the promise, will be given to you, if God sees it fit for you—and what more could you desire? This applies to all who pray rightly; every one that asketh receiveth, whether Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or poor, high or low, master or servant, learned or unlearned, all are equally welcome to the throne of grace, if they come in faith.

This is explained by a comparison drawn from earthly parents and their readiness to give their children what they ask. Parents are often foolishly indulgent, but God is all-wise; he knows what we need, what we desire, and what is fit for us. Let us never suppose our heavenly Father would instruct us to pray, and then refuse to hear, or give us what would be harmful.