Text: Matthew 7:7-11
Themes: Shake the Tree of Heaven, Don’t Ding Dong Ditch God

Open the Word:

• Jesus presents a progression in Matthew 7:7—first asking, then seeking, then knocking. How do these steps represent increasing levels of engagement in prayer? What might this suggest about our relationship with God?
• Read Luke 11:5-8. How does the parable of the persistent friend reinforce Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:7-8? What does this teach us about persistence in prayer?

Open Your Lives:

Have you ever prayed a ‘SMART prayer’—one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound? If not, how might this framework change your prayer life?

In what ways can prayer be more than just words? How can you “shake the tree of heaven” by aligning your actions with your prayers this week?

Spurgeon compared some prayers to “ding-dong ditching”—knocking on God’s door but leaving too quickly. What is a prayer request you have given up on too quickly? How can you develop a deeper consistency in prayer?

Jesus describes God as a loving Father who desires to give good gifts. How does this truth impact the way you trust Him with your requests?