Have you ever read a promise in the Bible and had a ‘Yes, but’ thought? Have you ever been doubtful about Jesus’ promise that those who keep on asking will receive? That those who keep seeking will find? That those who keep knocking will get the door opened for them? Does it seem like a carte blanche, unreasonably broad promise? I have. So I invite you to wrestle through this with me.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10

Let’s consider carefully the whole context because therein lie our answers. Jesus had been praying. Let that sink in. Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray. He came to his Father with his needs. Seeing this, one of his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. Jesus’ example stimulated his disciple to want to know how to come to the Father, too. So Jesus taught them a basic prayer, which we call the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer was a model of what our prayers need to be. We should keep praying for these things until we receive answers, ultimately when we join him in Heaven. So what at first seems to be a promise for all prayers to be answered as we ask, actually has qualifications. We must pray as Jesus taught us.

“Father, may your name be kept holy…”. Luke 11:2
The prayer starts by addressing God as Father. By faith, we are his children and by calling him our Father, we are placing ourselves under his authority and acknowledging him as Protector and Provider. The first request seems strange to our ears but praying for God’s name to be kept holy is a prayer he wants to answer. We hear a lot about God’s love, but not a lot about his holiness. No trace of sin could ever be found in him. He is not marred. There is no one like him. He is perfect.
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2, and “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”  Exodus 15:11
It should be our heart’s desire that God be revered. We can’t force others to honor God, but we can! We can demonstrate what God is like so others will also want to honor him. He will help us honor his perfection and help us stay away from sin as his good representatives.

“May your kingdom come …”. Some manuscripts also have; May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Luke 11:2
When we long for his kingdom to spread on earth, we are praying for the very thing God wants. And he will enable us to let him rule in our own lives first, and then help us tell others about him. Our everyday obedience is part of God’s rule on this earth. Every act of love, every truthful word, every kindness extends God’s kingdom.

“Give us each day the food we need …”. Luke 11:3
He has promised to take care of his own. This evokes many ‘but what about?’ questions in my heart. What about starving believers in Armenia? What about African believers who are chased from their farms? What about believers in China who are ill-fed in prison? They not only don’t have enough food, but they are also persecuted. In the end, I have to rest in God’s sovereign knowledge and will. He has certainly provided for their souls by keeping them faithful to him in spite of trials. He keeps them alive until the moment he takes them home to Heaven where he will reward them for all eternity. He comes close and comforts them, especially in the darkness.

As rich Americans, we need to humbly acknowledge that our food (and all necessities) come to us because of God’s kindness. He gives us bodies and minds to earn a living to buy food. (We retirees can look back on a lifetime of God’s provision.) When our needs are met, we can be God’s hands and heart by sharing with those in need by donating to life-saving organizations, volunteering, and meeting needs for those around us as we are able.

“And forgive us our sins …”. Luke 11:4
This is a prayer that God loves to answer! He is waiting for us to humbly admit what we did wrong. Then he liberally forgives on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice. Forgiveness is what Jesus purchased for us and he isn’t stingy!

“As we forgive those who sin against us.” Luke 11:4
Ouch! Shouldn’t they have to suffer like they caused us to suffer?! No, we have to let go of the debt others owe us. We can’t exact payment. Knowing we’ve been forgiven makes it easier to forgive.

“Don’t lead us into temptation…”. Luke 11:4
This has puzzled me for years. We know that God never tempts us. “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone”. James 1:13. But in that same passage there is a clue. The same Greek word translated as ‘temptation’ in Luke 11 is translated ‘trials’ in James 1:2. Indeed, the word can mean trials, or testing. In fact, some translations render Luke 11:4 as, “Don’t bring us into (severe) trials, or Don’t bring us into testing.” When this broken world throws hard things at us, God will give us strength and use them to make us more like Jesus.

So here’s a quick synopsis. Jesus taught us to pray these requests. We need to be persistent in asking, knowing that God will answer.
Ask for God’s name to be kept holy and God will help your actions show that God is holy
Ask for God’s kingdom to come and he will help you bring his kingdom to your circle of influence
Ask for God’s provision and he will show himself faithful to supply all your needs today and help you meet the needs of others.
Ask God for forgiveness and he will remove the debt you owe him while he gives you the grace to waive the debt others owe you.
Ask God not to bring you into severe testing and he will only allow trials that he equips you to bear.
Ask God for his Spirit and he will enable you to hear his Spirit directing and helping you.
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13