Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Do you believe God answers prayer? For many Christ-followers, this question produces anxiety because they feel that Heaven’s response is sometimes uncertain. That can evoke searching, serious questions.

If I knock on Heaven’s door expecting prompt, specific answers, I can experience doubt, discouragement, and sometimes disillusionment. Consequently, my head betrays my heart and I reluctantly assume God is not listening or answering.

In Luke 11, Jesus clarifies how to pray. His prayer model involves adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Interestingly, he then shares a story in order to explain that God truly does hear and answer prayer. It’s not primarily because of his relationship with the pray-er, but because of that person’s “shameless audacity” and persistent perseverance to petition Heaven.

Jesus assures us that breakthrough prayer requires persistent asking, seeking, and knocking. Jesus’ words affirm Heaven’s promise and response. “ … Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds … to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”(Luke 11:10).

Does Jesus’ assurance encourage you to keep knocking on Heaven’s door, audaciously petitioning God for all your needs? Prayer is our privilege and communication channel to our Father. It is a relational necessity for Christ-followers.

Practice the posture of persevering prayer. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking until Heaven’s answer comes to pass. May your prayers audaciously ascend to Heaven like sweet incense to God’s throne of grace and align you with his Word and his will for your life.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word and that you always hear my prayers. Protect my heart from discouragement and disillusionment. May my prayers be a sweet incense to your throne by aligning with your Word and will. Empower me with patience and a posture of perseverance so that I continue to audaciously petition Heaven for my loved ones and my needs. Amen.

Go Deeper — Why do you think God wants you to persevere in prayer?