Jesus consoles us with the promise: "Ask, and you will receive" then, in his parables, he equates "ask" with "seek" and "knock". Some people can be assiduous in seeking things that do not and cannot exist, like an elixir of eternal youth.

Generally, however, "seek" will be understood to imply that there is some reality which can be obtained or attained. Though Jesus insists on perseverance in prayer, He does not equate "ask" with "demand".

We have the right to ask God for the grace we need, but we have no right to "demand" that God gives us what we ask for since God's answer to our prayer is a gift, a grace given us freely and lovingly from God's eternal providence.