What does the Bible say about ask?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible invites believers to ask God confidently in prayer, trusting his fatherly wisdom, goodness, and sovereign will. Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13 that those who ask, seek, and knock may expect their heavenly Father to give what is truly good, above all the Holy Spirit. James 1:5 especially encourages those needing wisdom to ask in faith. Christ also promises answered prayer offered in his name, meaning prayer shaped by his character, authority, and saving purposes (John 14:13-14; John 15:7). God hears and grants requests that accord with his will (1 John 5:14-15), so faith does not demand our preferences but rests in God’s loving answer.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 7:7

    "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.

  • Matthew 21:22

    All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

  • James 1:5

    But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

  • John 14:13-14

    [13] Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

  • 1 John 5:14-15

    [14] This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. [15] And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

  • John 14:13

    Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

  • John 15:7

    If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.

  • Matthew 7:7-11

    [7] "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. [8] For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. [9] Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

  • Mark 11:24

    Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

  • Luke 11:9-13

    [9] "I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. [11] "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won't give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, he won't give him a scorpion, will he? [13] If you then, being evil, 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?"

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