Matthew 7:7, 9-11 NLT
[7] “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….
[9] “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? [10] Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! [11] So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

This prescription Jesus gave His disciples about prayer seems to imply that God responds to nagging. God will give us what we want if we nag Him long enough! Is that really what He meant?

As always, the context will reveal the true meaning.

In Matthew 7:9-10, Jesus compares the attitude of human fathers with the attitude of the heavenly Father. Although human fathers are basically sinful, they don’t substitute their children’s needs with harmful or worthless things like stones and snakes.

“How much more, then…” The Father’s love and goodness are far greater than those of human fathers. He will give better gifts to His children than even the basic needs of bread and fish.

So, Jesus urges, never stop asking, seeking, and knocking because we are approaching a loving and caring heavenly Father who gives what we need and much more. We can be assured that He is greater, wiser, more loving, and far more able than any earthly parent to supply the needs of His children.