“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 ESV)
Many of us carry hopes, dreams and perhaps even some doubts about what lies ahead. But Jesusā words in Matthew 7:7 remind us that breaking barriers and stepping boldly into Godās promises requires bold faith.
I want to encourage you to enter 2025 with a spirit of audacity ā asking, seeking and knocking with bold faith. These actions arenāt passive; theyāre active and persistent, rooted in trust that God hears, answers and opens doors.
Matthew 7:7 is part of Jesusā larger teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus teaches His followers how to live in a way that reflects Godās righteousness and grace. This verse focuses on prayer and the believer’s relationship with God. It reveals God’s openness to respond to our needs.
Jesus instructs us to actively deploy three action steps: ask, seek, knock.
The word ask represents humble dependence on God. We come to God as a child comes to a loving parent. Seek involves effort and persistence in pursuing Godās will. To knock implies persistence, as if knocking on a closed door until it is opened.
Asking, seeking, and knocking require bold faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him [God].”Sometimes Godās answers are immediate, but other times they require waiting. In both cases, God works for our good.When doors seem closed, remember that God may be preparing something greater than we can imagine.
Hereās how we can apply Jesusā teachings in 2025.
First, ask boldly. Bring your needs, dreams, and desires before God with confidence. Start the year with intentional, bold prayers for yourself, your family and your community.
Next, seek diligently. Pursue Godās will with focus. Seek Godās Word for direction, clarity and strength. Psalm 119:105 states: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Commit to a daily habit of Bible study and worship in 2025.
Finally, knock persistently. Donāt give up when answers or opportunities seem delayed. Persistence in faith breaks down barriers. Galatians 6:9 exhorts us to remember this: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Create a prayer journal to track how God opens doors as you continue knocking.
In closing, trust that Godās plans for you are good, even when they look different from our own plans. Jeremiah 29:11 is our eternal word of encouragement: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
As we move into 2025, remember that breaking barriers requires bold faith.
Ask with confidence, seek with diligence and knock with persistence. God is faithful to answer, guide and open doors in His perfect timing. I challenge you to write down one prayer request, one area of your life where youāre seeking God and one closed door youāre knocking on. Commit these to prayer every day for the next 30 days and watch how God moves.
Closing Prayer: āLord, thank You for the promise that when we ask, seek, and knock, You respond. Help us to enter 2025 with bold faith, trusting You to break every barrier. In Jesusā name, Amen.ā
Dr. Preston T. Adams, III is the founding and senior pastor of Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis. He can be found on X at @DrPrestonTAdams.