Jesus as Genie

I saw a website recently that was trying very hard to prove the nonexistence of God using Matthew 7:7.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

They tried to make the point that even if you ask for wonderful things that benefit everyone, nothing would happen.  The author encouraged the readers to "get on your knees and sincerely ask God for the end of world hunger."  (Apparently the proof that God doesn't exist, is that He doesn't respond to your whims.)

There is nothing wrong with praying for the benefit of the world.  In fact, I recommend it, but this guy was completely missing the mark.  

The whole point of the new birth is to be more like Christ.  You die to yourself to put on the life of Christ to demonstrate His love to the world.  When you make Him the center of your life, His wants become your wants; His plans become your plans, so the idea of demanding action from God in order to prove Himself to you is laughable.  

God is not the genie in the lamp.  He is not compelled to follow your direction.

The idea behind Matthew 7:7 is an instrument to prove your own devotion to Him not the other way around.  When what you ask for is that God's plans become reality and not your own, you have truly died to self and can take up your cross and follow Him.

If you try to use God to fulfill your vision for the world, you will be sadly disappointed every time.