1. Don't give up--pray (7-8)

Sometimes we are judgmental or critical of others because we are competitive or envious. But we don't need to struggle with people; we must struggle with God in prayer. We must ask our Father God for what we need. James 4:2b-3 says that we do not have because we do not ask God, and we do not receive because we ask with wrong motives.

2. God gives good gifts (9-12)

Even sinful people love their children and want to give them good gifts. How much more does our loving heavenly Father want to give us the very best gifts. Luke 11 says that the best gift God can give us is his Holy Spirit. God wants us to ask him for his good gifts because he wants us to know him and love him and depend on him. When we receive God's good gifts, we can be generous with others.

Application: Father, teach me how to pray persistently, until I know you better and love you more and walk with you every day. Give me your Holy Spirit.
One Word: Ask, seek, knock