Luke 11:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Saviour instructed everyone, at the request of His holy apostles, on how we ought to pray. However, those who received this invaluable and life-giving lesson from Him might sometimes pray according to His example but can do so with fatigue and indifference. When they do not receive a response to their first or second prayers, they may abandon their petitions, considering them futile. Therefore, to prevent us from facing this situation and experiencing such mental weakness, He teaches us the importance of persistent diligence in prayer. Through a parable, He makes it clear that weariness in prayer can be detrimental, while perseverance is immensely beneficial: it is our obligation to remain steadfast and not succumb to laziness. This is illustrated by His statement that “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 embrace the truth conveyed in this parable. Be steadfast in prayer; approach God, who delights in being gracious and is ever-present. If you perceive that the gift of grace is being delayed, do not succumb to weariness or despair regarding the blessings you hope for; do not abandon the hope set before you, nor tell yourself, “I have approached many times but received nothing; I have cried out, yet have not been answered; I have asked but have gone unfulfilled; for none of my requests have been granted.” Recognize that the universal Giver understands our needs far better than we do, for He knows what is due and suitable for each individual. At times, you may desire something that exceeds your capacity; you may seek to receive what you are not prepared for. The Giver knows the right timing for His gifts. Earthly fathers do not readily fulfill the wishes of their children; they may delay despite their requests, not out of unkindness or a desire to frustrate the petitioners, but because they discern what is beneficial for fostering good character. How could the generous Giver neglect to fulfil the prayers of His people unless He sees that receiving what is requested would not truly benefit them? Therefore, we must present our requests to God with understanding and diligence. Even if you experience a delay in your petitions, labor patiently alongside the workers in the vineyard, knowing that what is acquired without effort and easily obtained is often undervalued, while what is achieved through toil is a more cherished and lasting possession.

6:7), unafraid to awaken the One whom he understood to be perpetually alert and engaged.

Let us, recalling the Scriptures, remain steadfast in prayer both day and night and implore forgiveness for our transgressions. If David, revered in the eyes of God and occupied with the affairs of his kingdom, praised the Lord seven times a day, giving attention to the morning and evening sacrifices (cf. Psalm 118:164; Psalm 54:18; Psalm 140:2), what should we do? The more frequently we stumble due to our frail humanity, the more earnestly we ought to pray that those who are fatigued on their journey through this present age and its trials may receive the heavenly bread that revitalizes the human heart.

The Lord instructs us to be vigilant not just at midnight but at all hours. He comes in the evening and at the second and third watches, knocking at the door; thus, blessed are those servants whom the master finds alert upon His return (Luke 12:37). If you seek the strength of God to equip and serve you, you must remain consistently awake. Many temptations (cf: Sir. 11:31) and the heavy pull of physical slumber lure us; if the soul gives in, it risks losing its vitality. Rouse yourself from slumber and knock at the door of Christ, which Paul implores to be opened. He not only prays for himself but also seeks the aid and prayers of the community, so that the door may be opened to him for the proclamation of Christ’s mysteries (cf. Col. 4:3). Perhaps this is the door that John beheld, for he said: "After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the voice I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this" (Rev. 4:1). The door was opened to John and to Paul, that he might acquire bread for us to consume (cf. 2 Cor. 12:2). He knocked persistently at the door, in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2), so that the nations, exhausted by labor in this world, might be rejuvenated by the richness of heavenly sustenance.

This section of the Gospel teaches us the importance of frequent prayer, with the expectation of receiving what we request, and the art of entreaty; it first instructs by command and then by example. He who makes a promise must instill hope in the promise to ensure obedience to the commandments and faith in what is offered. Observing human kindness, faith aspires for even greater eternal goodness, provided the petitions in prayer are righteous; otherwise, prayer may lead to sin (cf. Psalm 108:7). The apostle was not ashamed to repeatedly ask, nor did he sorrow excessively if his initial requests were not granted. Thus, the Apostle stated, "I pleaded with the Lord three times" (2 Cor. 12:8), illustrating that God often withholds what we request, believing that what we deem advantageous may indeed be detrimental.

While some have attempted to elucidate this parable spiritually, these interpretations often miss its intended meaning. Therefore, I set aside these spiritual explanations as unnecessary, believing they exist merely to illustrate that the refusal is justified. A father resting with his children has valid reasons for declining to rise at an inconvenient hour, as it might disturb their sleep. It appears to me that the essence of the parable emphasizes the urgent need for the request and the absolute denial of refusal, indicating that the persistent petitioner was ultimately acknowledged, thus making the Savior's exhortation compelling.

The 'Lord's Prayer' (Luke 11:2-4) and His teachings on perseverance in prayer (Luke 11:5-13) were relayed by the Evangelist Matthew, who presented it as part of His sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:9-13; 7:7-11). It would be challenging to argue that, apart from the account given by Luke, Christ had not previously provided this model of authentic Christian prayer during the Sermon on the Mount. It’s unlikely that the disciples had forgotten this teaching and were currently seeking guidance on how to pray. Furthermore, nothing in their request implies that they had not been taught by Christ before, nor did He respond to them without recalling His earlier instruction. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Matthew references the 'Lord's Prayer' in the Sermon on the Mount through a thematic relationship.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." This illustrates the mighty nature of a believer's prayer, who possesses the grace and spirit of Jesus Christ within. God draws near to us, resembling a friend to whom we can come with unwavering resolve, so to speak, forcefully pursuing the answer to our prayers. The more He seems unresponsive to our cries, the more audaciously we should approach Him until He concedes. In such moments, a Christian must maintain faith that his prayers will be answered, assured by the benevolent nature of God. However, we should not exceed the parameters of our prayers as taught by Jesus in His own supplications. If one, in misguided selflessness, requests what is not genuinely beneficial or even harmful, God will not heed such a plea. He responds solely to those prayers directed towards our true well-being, those that not only support our present existence but ultimately guide us toward eternal life.

At midnight, when the doors are secured, and everyone in the house is asleep, making an unexpected visit inconvenient, the unyielding outcry for help symbolizes that determination can lead to receiving what one seeks. This exemplifies how one should pray—constantly and without ceasing.