Knock Knock! But be Ready for the Door to be Opened!
A reflection on Matthew 7:7-12. “Knock and the door will be opened“. But do we have the courage to walk through the door God opens?
Kneeling in prayer before Mass, my heart hurting for a loved one, a door appeared in my mind. Somehow, I knew my answer lay on the other side of that door. Suddenly, I was afraid and not sure I wanted that door to open. God would open that door if I knocked, but then what? Does He hand me the answer gift-wrapped with a hug?
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”
(Matt 7:7)
I remember when I was a little girl trying to understand prayer, I squeezed my eyes tight and prayed to Jesus for an ice cream cone. When I opened them, there was no ice cream cone.
It was not until I was older that I realized God doesn’t usually work like that. He does not answer our prayers like a magic tricks or beautifully wrapped presents suddenly appearing before us. Usually, our prayers require something from us.
What will he ask of me? More prayer? Fasting? Would he want me to give up coffee??
Queen Esther’s Example
Queen Esther is in a difficult position. As queen and also Jewish, she must convince her husband, the king, to save her people. Having no idea how, she calls out:
“Help me! I am alone and have no help but you, O Lord, my God!”
(Esther 4:14)
Haven’t we all called out to God like this? Helplessness, brought on by a broken relationship, addiction, or a sick loved one can bring such despair that we are certain no one can possibly help us. But then we feel that niggling to knock at the door.
At first nothing happens. How long will it take the door to open? Is Jesus in the back room? Does He hear us? We pound harder and more persistently. Does He want to know how serious we are before He bothers to open that door?
Finally, the door opens. Realizing we must enter, do we have the courage? Going in means a two-sided conversation with God, us asking and Him responding. Are we ready for what his reply will require of us. Are we willing to do what He says?
Queen Esther trusted God. She had the courage to knock, ask, and do what God required of her. God answered her prayer. Looking back on my “ice cream cone prayer,” God answered my prayer as well, just not in the way I expected. Having eaten hundreds of ice cream cones since that prayer, I see now that God required me to ask my parents, or to earn money, or even to ride my bike to the Dairy Queen. Yet, I did all of those things and enjoyed many ice cream cones.
As I see the door before me each morning, not knowing what Jesus will have me do (but hoping I do not have to give up coffee), I make a fist and raise it…“Knock, Knock.”
Originally posted on Diocesan website on February 26, 2026.
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