Thursday 2 March 2023

Today is Thursday the 2nd of March, in the first week of Lent.

One Hope Project sings, ‘Come Close’. Begin consciously turning your heart towards the Lord now as you enter into prayer.


Come close
My heart is ready
Come close
My heart is here
Draw near I’m longing for You
Draw near
My love
All I’ve ever wanted
All I’ve ever wanted
All I’ve ever wanted is found in You
This moment is ours
I won’t rush away

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 7:7-12

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

In today’s reading, Jesus is teaching about prayer:

‘Ask and it will be given to you.’
What do you want to ask the Lord for today?
Take a moment to tell him about this need that you have.


‘Search, and you will find’
Is there something that you are searching for at the moment?
The answer to a question maybe, or for something that is lost, or missing from your life.
Talk with the Lord about the thing that you are searching for.

‘For everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’
As we pray and seek God, Jesus suggests that is like knocking at a door, waiting for it to be opened. Maybe you feel you’ve been praying and knocking at a door waiting for the Lord to open it for a long time.
Imagine standing by this door with the Lord now. Ask for his presence to be with you as you wait.

As you listen to the reading again, notice what Jesus says about the relationship between the one who prays and their Father in Heaven.

Jesus says, ‘How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.’


Though, perhaps there are times when you’ve become weary of asking, wondering if your prayers fall on deaf ears?

Recall the things you have asked for in prayer today and try to imagine that you are placing them into the hands of a Father who cares about you and is listening to you today.

You have given all to me,
To You, Lord, I return it.
Everything is Yours,
Do with it what you will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen.