Luke 11:10

This verse confirms and grounds the promise Jesus made in the previous verse. Having said "ask, seek, knock," He now restates the assurance as a settled truth: "every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." The word "for" shows that this is the reason behind the call to pray -- God truly responds to those who come to Him.

What stands out most is the word "every one." The promise is not limited to a special class of people, the especially holy or eloquent. It belongs to everyone who asks, seeks, and knocks. This is a sweeping assurance of God's openness to all who genuinely turn to Him in prayer. Jesus states it as a general principle, a description of how God reliably acts. The verbs again suggest continuing action -- those who keep asking keep receiving. This verse should fill the praying heart with confidence. We do not pray to a distant or unwilling God who must be persuaded against His nature. We pray to a Father who delights to give and who has promised that earnest seeking will not go unmet. In the verses that follow, Jesus assures us that this Father gives only good gifts. The door is open, and it opens to everyone who knocks.