"Ask, and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to him who knocks. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

"Do for others what you want them to do for you; this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets."

Matthew 7:7-11

Sometimes we ask for health in order to do greater things – but we are given illness to do greater things. Sometimes we ask God for strength so that we can achieve – and we are made weak so that we will learn to obey. Sometimes we ask for riches so we can be happy - and we are given poverty so we can be wise. Sometimes we ask for power and the praises of other men – and we are given weakness so that we can sense our need of God. Sometimes we ask for all things so we can enjoy life – and we are given life so that we can enjoy all things. Sometimes we get nothing we ask for – but everything we hope for. Despite what we ask for, our prayers are always answered. God will always give us what is best for us.

Our Daily Bread – July 30, 2003