Luke 11:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We have heard the words of the Savior as presented in the parable, which, if comprehended, can greatly aid us. The manner of teaching is noteworthy. At the request of the holy apostles, Christ instructed everyone on how to pray. However, there may be occasions when those receiving this precious and life-giving lesson pray according to His example but do so half-heartedly. When they do not receive an immediate response to their prayers, they may give up, viewing their efforts as unfruitful. To prevent us from encountering such discouragement and weakness, He shows us the importance of persistence in prayer. Through a parable, He clarifies that weariness in prayer is harmful, while perseverance is advantageous; we are called to continue without succumbing to laziness.

He states, “though he will not get up and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his perseverance he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” Let us therefore live out the truth illustrated by this parable. Be steadfast in prayer; approach God, who delights in being gracious. If you find yourself waiting for the gift of grace, do not give in to discouragement; do not lose hope in the blessings promised to you, nor say to yourself, “I have sought answers but received none; I have cried out but found no relief; I have asked, yet nothing has been granted to me.” Remember, the One who is the source of all provision understands our situations better than we do, discerning what is truly appropriate and beneficial for each individual.

At times, you may seek what is beyond your current readiness; you desire gifts that you have yet to earn. The Giver knows the proper timing for His gifts. Earthly fathers often do not grant their children’s requests immediately, nor do they do so out of unkindness; rather, they take time not as a form of pleasure or indifference but for the benefit of their children’s growth and maturity. How much more will the generous and compassionate Giver ensure that what we ask is truly for our good? We must approach God with both understanding and diligence in our prayers. Even if there are delays in our requests, let us patiently labor alongside those working in His vineyard, knowing that what is obtained without effort is usually undervalued, while what is achieved through toil is a more cherished and lasting possession.

He sought help when he admitted, "Every night I flood my bed with tears" (Ps. 6:7) - demonstrating he was unafraid to awaken the One who, as he knew, is eternally vigilant and active.

Let us, while keeping in mind what is inscribed, steadfastly engage in prayer throughout the day and night and seek forgiveness for our transgressions. If David, esteemed in God’s sight and engaged with the needs of his realm, praised the Lord seven times daily, attending carefully to the morning and evening offerings (Cf. Psalm 118:164; Psalm 54:18; Psalm 140:2), what are we to do? The more frequently we fail due to the frailty of flesh and spirit, the more earnestly we should ask and pray that those who are weary along their path in this age and amid life’s changes may be granted the bread of heaven, nourishing the heart of humanity!

The Lord instructs us to remain vigilant not only at midnight but at all times. He arrives in the evening, at the second and third watches, and knocks at the door. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds alert upon His arrival (Luke 12:37). If you seek the Power of God to equip and serve you, you must remain awake. Numerous traps (cf. Sir. 11:31) and the weight of deep slumber lure us; should the soul yield, it risks losing its living essence. Awaken from your slumber and knock at the door of Christ, which Paul encourages to be opened. He not only prays for himself but also seeks the prayers and assistance of the people that the door may be opened to him for the proclamation of the mysteries of Christ (See Col. 4:3). Perhaps this is the door that John witnessed, as he recorded: "After these things I looked, and there was a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter" (Rev. 4:1). The door was opened to John, just as it was opened to Paul so he could receive sustenance for us (See 2 Cor. 12:2). He continually knocked at the door, both in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2), so that the Gentiles, weary from the toils of this world, might regain strength through the richness of heavenly nourishment.

This passage in the Gospel emphasizes the importance of consistent prayer, a prayer filled with the hope of receiving what is sought, advocating a way of persuasion; it first instructs by command and then by example. Those who promise anything ought to instill hope in the promise, leading to obedience to the commandments and trust in what is pledged. Observing human kindness, hope in everlasting goodness flourishes even more, provided that the petitions made in prayer are righteous; otherwise, prayer can devolve into sin (See Psalm 108:7). The apostle was unashamed to ask repeatedly, lest it seem he lacked faith in the Lord’s mercy. He did not become disheartened or irritable if his requests were not fulfilled immediately. Therefore, the Apostle stated, “I pleaded with the Lord three times" (2 Cor. 12:8), highlighting that God often withholds what we request, believing that what we perceive as beneficial may not truly be in our best interest.

The continuation of this parable has been attempted by some who sought to provide a spiritual explanation, yet they have struggled to align it with its intended message. Thus, I shall refrain from discussing these spiritual interpretations as they seem unnecessary, merely indicating that the denial is reasonable. A father who sleeps with his children has just cause to decline rising at an unreasonable hour to avoid waking them. It appears to me that the essence of the parable underscores the urgent need to make a request and the profound reasons for the refusal, emphasizing that the petitioner was heard due to his perseverance, making the Savior’s exhortation all the more compelling.

The 'Lord's Prayer' (2-4), along with guidance on perseverance in prayer (5-13), was shared by Matthew, who recorded it within a series of teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (6:9-13, 7:7-11). It seems unlikely that, aside from the account mentioned by Luke, Jesus had not previously provided His disciples with this blueprint of authentic Christian prayer, especially during the Sermon on the Mount. It is also hard to believe that the disciples would have forgotten His teachings and were now imploring Him for guidance on how to pray. Furthermore, their request bears no indication that they had received prior instruction on this matter from Jesus, nor did He respond to their inquiry without referencing His previous teachings. Hence, it is plausible that Matthew presents the 'Lord's Prayer' in the context of the discourse on the Mount as part of a cohesive thought.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.’ This illustrates the immense power of a believer’s prayer, one who harbors the grace and Spirit of Jesus Christ within. God draws close to us and becomes like a true friend, a source to whom we can fervently appeal for the realization of our prayers. The more He appears unresponsive, the more we should assertively plead until He responds. In such situations, the Christian must trust that their prayers will be answered, assured by God's paternal goodness. However, our requests must align with the boundaries set by Jesus Christ in His teachings. If an individual, in forgetfulness of self, asks for something that is not genuinely good or that may even cause harm, God will not heed such pleas. He only grants those prayers that are truly aimed at our ultimate good, prayers that not only sustain our present existence but also guide us toward eternal life.

At the hour of midnight, when the doors are secured and the inhabitants have surrendered to rest, an unexpected visit may seem untimely. The essence of the call is captured in the phrase: "according to his unyielding request, he will rise to give him." This speaks to the power of persistence—the urgency will inevitably lead to the granting of the request. This is how we ought to approach prayer—relentlessly and faithfully.