Devotionals for the Heart: When persevering in prayer is your lifeline

Ask, Seek, Knock
A devotional by Erica Bryant

“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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”—Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

There are times when we feel completely depleted.

We find ourselves overwhelmed, uncertain, and searching for solid ground. In those moments, prayer isn't just helpful, it becomes our lifeline. Prayer was a lifeline for Jesus Christ when He was living on Earth, too! He was often found stealing away to pray, finding comfort in His Heavenly Father's voice.

If prayer was essential for Jesus who is the Savior of the world (John 3:16-17), how much more essential should it be for us?

Prayer was central to Christ’s teachings. He addressed it twice in what The Holy Bible calls, “the Sermon on the Mount”. In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus teaches on proper prayer, emphasizing sincerity and providing a model for praying powerfully and with authority. Then in Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus shifts our focus with three powerful verbs: ask, seek, knock. These three words aren’t suggestions. They’re commands infused with urgency and bold persistence. Jesus, however, doesn’t just command; He also promises. He promises that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and those who knock will have doors opened to them.

Jesus encourages us to be persistent in prayer. Even when our prayers seem unanswered or there is silence, the imperative form of the verbs used in Matthew 7:7-8 encourages us to continue asking, seeking, and knocking persistently.

The promises in Matthew 7:7-8 highlight that as children of God, we can confidently approach our Heavenly Father, knowing He hears us and answers our prayers. Jesus uses examples of earthly fathers giving good gifts to their children to illustrate the surpassing love of our Heavenly Father. If, despite their imperfections, earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children out of love, how much more will God, who loves us relentlessly, desire to give us good gifts when we ask (Matthew 7:9-11). Our Heavenly Father's love far surpasses that of earthly parents and is demonstrated through the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Understanding God’s character changes everything. He is a Good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children. Prayer isn't manipulation; it's connection. It's a relationship of love and trust. So, pray BIG, BOLD prayers. Trust God's plans. Know that He wants to exceed your expectations.

If we are honest, as we carefully look at the promises found in these passages, we may be thinking, “This doesn’t describe my reality! I ask and have not received. I have sought and have not found. I have knocked and am still met with closed doors!” Yes, that may be true, but James 4:3 (NIV) offers an answer to your problem. God says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

But what about those times when you've prayed in God's will, and the promises of Matthew 7:7-8 still feel impossibly distant from your actual life? Let this truth found in Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV), anchor you: God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Look closely at Matthew 7:8 again. Everyone who asks receives, but it doesn't specify what is received. The one who seeks finds, but it does not share exactly what is to be found. Doors open to those who knock, but God, in His sovereignty, opens the doors He deems right for you. We must trust that our Heavenly Father knows what's best for us. He won't give us what we can't handle or steward well. He shields us from things that could harm us or pull us from Him, even the things we desperately want.

Here's another truth to hold onto, found in Ephesians 3:20 (ESV). It says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Here’s what I’ve learned: Sometimes we ask too small. God wants to exceed not just our expectations, but also our imaginations.

And sometimes there's silence. There's waiting on God to answer our prayers. In those moments, remember what Jesus actually said. In the original Greek text, the verbs for “ask”, “seek”, and “knock” are all written in the present active tense. Grammatically, this signifies continuous, ongoing, and persistent action. Rather than a one-time request, a more literal and accurate translation is: “Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking.”

Don’t stop. Be persistent. Keep praying. What does it mean to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking?

To keep asking might look like returning to God repeatedly with a request, desire, or need, not because He didn't hear you the first time, but because you trust He's listening every time. It's a mother who prays for provision every morning or a person wrestling with addiction who asks for strength for today, tomorrow, and the day after that. When you keep asking, you refuse to let anything convince you that God isn't there.

To keep seeking means actively looking for God's hand in your circumstances, even when the answer isn't what you expected. It's studying Scripture to understand His character better. It's listening for His voice in the quiet moments, in conversations with others, in the way doors open and close. Seeking isn't passive waiting; it's an intentional pursuit.

To keep knocking is showing up. It's returning to prayer when you're tired. It’s taking action aligned with your prayers. It's trusting that even when one door closes, God is opening another. It's the persistence that says, “I believe, even when I can't see.” It’s trusting that you have a Good Father who loves you more than you know and could imagine. He is the One who holds your future in His hands and knows what’s best for you.

Trust in God’s goodness and know that if you ask, He will answer; if you seek, you will find; and if you knock, He will open a door for you.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father,

Thank You for being a God who loves me so deeply and intimately. You know what I need and what is best for me. When I pray, please help me to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. Grant me the faith to believe that You hear my prayers and because of Your love for me, You will answer them. Help me embrace Your answers, even when they don’t align with my expectations, trusting that You can exceed them.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin, ft. Pat Barrett. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “He’s Able” by Deitrick Haddon. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “The Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Erica N. Bryant is a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, and author who desires to see believers live in the complete freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

As the founder of Sparrow's Song Ministries, Erica invites a community of believers to get to know God by falling in love with His Word. Through Bible study resources, devotionals, teaching, and mentorship, Sparrow's Song encourages others to grow in intimacy with God and walk daily in the power of His Holy Spirit. She began The Word W.O.R.K.S. campaigns to help believers walk in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success.

Erica is a writer with several published works including devotionals for adults and children, topical and textual Bible studies, and Scripture journals. In her debut book, Dwell: Living Life Fully Knowing that the Holy Spirit Lives in You, Erica draws from her own journey of healing from childhood trauma, rejection, and the struggles of fear and anxiety. With honesty and hope, she invites readers to embrace the life-giving truth that God's Spirit resides within them. Erica believes that when you know the Holy Spirit dwells in you, everything changes.

Erica is a passionate speaker who effectively communicates God’s Word with clarity and conviction. She speaks a relevant word to hearers and ministers to their hearts, inspires practical application, and empowers them to grow in faith and purpose.

Erica is a devoted wife and loving mother who actively serves in various roles at Strait Gate Deliverance Center.

Ultimately, she is just a girl in love with God and she is a soldier for Jesus Christ.

Devotionals for the Heart: When God gives you good things to enjoy in life

When God Gives You Good Things

A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”—Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)

Isn’t it wonderful to pause and smell the ocean? To take in a pasture scene with grazing cows and sheep? To observe a newborn baby with his or her mommy? Or to take that first bite of a luscious lasagna complete with herbs and cheese?

There is something so satisfying about these things. The sea salt scented air is breathtaking and soothing all at once. It smells like home for me because I grew up in Southern California with all its beautiful beaches. Nothing can quite replace that scene or nature-made fragrance.

These places are not forgotten because they are etched into my heart and into my mind. They bring up feelings of peace, joy and fun for me. How about you? When you need to escape the doldrums of reality (such as our commute to work, the piles of laundry, the stack of dirty dishes), are you able to recall a place that brings you joy and a smile?

King David, who prior to becoming a king, spent his time as a shepherd, wrote Psalm 103. He begins this Psalm with a call to remembrance of all God’s benefits. Not some, but all. That is a lot of remembering. One of the things David wants us to remember is God satisfying our desires with good things. Notice it is not just one desire, but multiple ones.

What are you desiring right now? A good job? Better communication in your family? Restored relationships? A few more dollars leftover at the end of the month instead of leftover month at the end of your dollars? God does satisfy our desires with good things. The Bible says every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17). God still gives good gifts in this modern day. He meets our needs, but even more, He satisfies our longings, our desires, the deep cravings of our heart.

What are you craving? Yes, there are the “here and now” things, but do you have a deep desire you have shared with no one because it seems absurd? Audacious? Far out there? Have you spoken these out loud to God? He already knows, but He loves to be included in your thoughts and dreams. It is how God shows you His love and direction. He demonstrates His provision and His goodness.

Are you experiencing a season of silence from God? Have you been praying for things for quite a while and yet no answer is the answer? I’ve been there—for five long years, at one point in my life. God was silent even though I wasn’t. I still read the Bible, prayed, went to church, and served, but there was this void in my life because I wasn’t hearing the voice of God.

Looking back, I can see He was there, but without words. He was enjoying my presence and wanting me to do the same with Him. I’ll admit I did a lot of complaining because I felt words were necessary, but it turns out they are not.

God satisfied me by sustaining me through that time with more than I could ask for—a place to hide in, a shelter, and a strong tower. A yoke to step into, and a green pasture to lie down in. He gave me water from a Rock, and faith handcrafted by His Son, just for me. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus Christ is the Author of our faith. Because of this, we can rest assured Jesus created our faith and He is daily writing our faith journey with Him and giving us what we need to trust Him.

God is good and He does good (Psalm 119:68). Always. He wants us to acknowledge this and to live in faith knowing that whether we choose to see the good does not negate the good He is and does. Let us recognize God’s loving hand in our lives and forget not all His benefits—all of them—and thank Him for all of it. It starts here with a heart of thankfulness. At the end of our time of thanking and remembering, God is there, meeting our desires.

If you’re in a season where you don’t hear God’s voice or receive answers from Him when you pray, just hold on and keep praying. He will provide in His perfect time. God is never late!

Let’s Pray: God, sometimes I forget all Your benefits. I look at the immediate, but You have been there all along taking care of my needs and even my wants. Thank You for blessing me with good and perfect gifts from above. Help me to see them as from Your mighty, powerful and loving hand of provision that is perfectly fashioned just for me. Thank You for satisfying my desires with Your goodness.

Song of Reflection: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: How to stay humble when God gives us good gifts

Boast in the Lord
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

—2 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV)

It can be so tempting for me, if my circumstances are pleasant and blessed, to boast in my circumstances. Now, boasting in my circumstances doesn’t necessarily mean talking about how great I am or saying the words, “Look at me!”

But it could mean boasting in my mind even if words of pride never leave my lips. It could mean relishing a position I’ve been given so much that I start to look down on others, thinking I’m better than they are.

God loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11), gifts we don’t deserve but that He chooses to give us anyway. Why then should we adopt a mindset of pride and a false belief that we deserve these gifts?

Instead of boasting in the gifts the Lord has given us, we are admonished by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians to “boast in the Lord.” God doesn’t want us to boast in His gifts, in the created things that He gives us. If our sense of pride is found in what changes, be it our circumstances or things of this world, then we shall be sorely disappointed when our circumstances change or things of this world fail us. If we put our security in anything other than the Lord, then it most certainly will crumble. Instead, our sense of security and identity needs to be found in Jesus Christ.

I love making a difference or doing something important. Since I was very young, I wanted to live a purposeful, meaningful life for Jesus. Whenever God chooses to bless me with an amazing opportunity, I can often be tempted to think better of myself than I ought, falsely believing that I am “better” than someone else or that I deserved such an opportunity. I can also struggle with trying to find my worth in those created things, those opportunities, or gifts from God.

I’ve always loved acting and prayed for an opportunity to use that gift. When I was 14 years old, God provided an opportunity when a Biblical theater group started in my area. Through that group, I’ve grown so much as a person in the last seven years and have had the opportunity to combine acting and sharing the love of Jesus with others through my interactions with fellow cast and crew members and through the story told on the stage.

I don’t deserve God’s good gifts and blessed opportunities, such as my wonderful experiences as an actress. However, because of His grace and mercy, God chooses to bless me as He blesses others in different ways. I’ve come to know that identity is not meant to be found in anything other than the Creator Himself. Please don’t find your identity in the things of this world. Instead, find your security in the Lord. If you find yourself starting to boast in the things of this world, turn it around and start boasting in the Lord, declaring His goodness and faithfulness.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, please forgive me for boasting in the things of this world and for finding my security in created things rather than You, my Creator. Please help me to sing Your praises and bring glory to Your holy name all my days. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “All My Boast is in Jesus” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/