Luke 11:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Saviour often prefaces His assurances with "Verily, verily, I say unto you." His promises are made with such certainty that disbelief incurs accountability. By instructing us to seek, He encourages effort; diligent pursuit of what is beneficial leads to its acquisition, especially when it is something worthy of being obtained. The persistent knock may come not just once but repeatedly, so that the homeowner, overwhelmed by the force of the knocking, may eventually relent and open the door, even against their wishes. Learn, therefore, from experiences around you how to obtain what is favorable—knock, persist, and ask. This is what all who seek anything from God are called to do. As the wise Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." Urgent prayer is essential amidst the turbulent affairs of the world: this multifaceted struggle ensnares us in unexpected challenges, leading us to humble ourselves and acknowledge our many failings. Moreover, the sinful inclinations within our flesh war against "the law of our minds," as Scripture states; additionally, adversaries of divine truths, including unclean and corrupted factions of heretics, resist those who strive to maintain sound beliefs. Thus, constant and devoted prayer becomes imperative. Just as soldiers require weapons to conquer their adversaries, our need is for prayer, for as Scripture indicates, "our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God." It should also be noted that the Saviour, the Lord of all, often spent entire nights in prayer. Before undergoing His redemptive Passion on the holy Cross, He knelt and prayed, saying, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Was His fear of death the reason for this? Did He believe there was no escape from the trap laid by the Jews, whose might surpassed His own? Such thoughts are truly reprehensible. Though He appeared in human form, He is God by nature and the sovereign of all powers. He willingly chose to endure the suffering of the Cross, acting as our Savior. Why then the need for prayer? To teach us the value of supplication and the great benefit it provides, guiding us to remain steadfast during trials and the onslaught of our foes, reminiscent of a surging wave. Furthermore, it is a profound honor for humanity to engage in dialogue with God. This occurs in prayer when we are invited to approach Him as Father, saying "Our Father." If He is indeed our Father, He naturally loves and nurtures His children generously, honoring them and deeming them worthy of His grace. Therefore, come with faith and persistence, assured that Christ listens to those who earnestly ask. To Him, along with God the Father, be all praise and authority, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

He pleaded when he lamented, Every night I soak my bed with tears (Psalm 6:7)—he had no fear of waking up the One who, as he understood, was perpetually vigilant and active.

Let us, recalling the scriptures, remain steadfast in prayer day and night and seek forgiveness for our transgressions. If David, who held favor with God and was occupied with royal duties, offered praise to the Lord seven times daily, tending to both the morning and evening sacrifices (cf. Psalm 118:164; Psalm 54:18; Psalm 140:2), what then shall we do? The more we falter due to our fleshly and spiritual frailty, the more we ought to plead and pray that those who are weary on their journey and fatigued by the challenges of this life may receive the heavenly bread that revitalizes the heart of humanity!

The Lord instructs us to remain vigilant not only at midnight but at all times. He approaches at evening, during the second and third watches, and knocks at the door; blessed are those servants whom the master, upon His return, finds alert (Luke 12:37). If you wish to be equipped with the Power of God and ministered to by Him, you must remain ever-watchful. There are many traps, and drowsiness calls to us; should the soul succumb, it risks losing its vital strength. Awaken from slumber and knock on the door of Christ, as Paul implores for it to be opened. He prays not only for himself but also seeks the assistance and intercessions of the faithful, that the door may be opened to him for the proclamation of Christ's mysteries (cf. Col. 4:3). This may be the door that John witnessed, for he recorded, After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven, and the former voice, which I heard like the sound of a trumpet speaking to me, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things (Rev. 4:1). The door was opened to John and to Paul, that he might receive bread for us to partake of (cf. 2 Cor. 12:2). He persistently knocked at the door, in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2), so that the Gentiles, wearied by the labors of this world, might be renewed by the richness of heavenly nourishment.

This passage in the Gospel encourages us towards frequent prayer, a prayer imbued with hope for the fulfillment of our requests—the essence of persuasion; first through commandment and then through example. The one who makes a promise must instill hope for its fulfillment, leading to observance of the commandments and faith in the promise made. Recognizing human kindness, faith strengthens its hope for eternal goodness, provided the prayers offered are just; otherwise, prayer may become sin (cf. Psalm 108:7). The apostle was unashamed to make repeated requests, fearing it might seem as though he doubted the Lord's compassion. He did not harbor resentment if his initial request went unanswered. Therefore, the Apostle stated, “I pleaded three times with the Lord (2 Cor. 12:8),” demonstrating that God often withholds what we ask for, believing that what we deem advantageous may not serve our true benefit.

In private settings, each person addresses their own needs to God as they are able. One can pray for personal intentions within the church, and similarly, at home one may engage in communal prayer. The key consideration is to ensure that when we pray, be it in a church or at home, our hearts and minds genuinely ascend to God. It is important not to stand stagnant like a statue or recite prayers mechanically. Merely repeating words without focus or engagement renders the act void, especially when the mind wanders and the heart is filled with distractions. If you are accustomed to prayer, strive to center your mind and heart upon it, even in the face of distractions. Such genuine prayer will invite God's compassion and fulfill His promise: ask and it will be granted, it will come to pass. Frequently, what is lacking is not the petition itself but merely a prayerful posture without true engagement.

The ‘Lord’s Prayer’ (2-4) and the teaching on perseverance in prayer (5-13) were conveyed by Matthew, who presented it through a series of sayings from the Sermon on the Mount (6:9-13; 7:7-11). It seems unlikely that, aside from the account given by Luke, Jesus was the only one who had ever prayed. Furthermore, it is hard to believe that Jesus had not previously taught His disciples this model of authentic prayer during the Sermon on the Mount, and that they had somehow forgotten His teachings and were now asking Him to instruct them in prayer. Additionally, their request lacks any indication that they had received prior instruction on the matter; nor does Jesus address their plea without reminding them of His past teachings. Therefore, it is plausible that Matthew presents the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ in the context of the Sermon on the Mount as a related thought.

I tell you, ‘Ask, and it will be given; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.’ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” This illustrates the immense power of a believer’s prayer who embodies the grace and spirit of Jesus Christ in his heart. God draws close to us, resembling a friend to whom we can persistently turn, almost with urgency, to see our prayers fulfilled. The more it seems that He is unresponsive to our cries, the more resolutely we should implore Him until He answers our requests. In such moments, a Christian must trust that their prayers will invariably be fulfilled, as promised by the gentle kindness of God. However, we must not exceed the boundaries of our prayers, which Jesus has shown us in His own prayer. If someone, lost in self-forgetfulness, requests something that is not genuinely good for him or even harmful, God will certainly not respond. He hears only those prayers that are truly aimed at our genuine good, leading to our well-being in this life while primarily guiding us toward everlasting life.