The disciples had just asked Jesus how to pray, leading to the beautiful “Lord’s Prayer” or “The Disciple’s Prayer.” But Jesus didn’t stop there; He shared a parable to illustrate another aspect of prayer. Imagine this: a man has an unexpected guest, and he’s got nothing to offer him. No Uber Eats back then, right? Daily markets meant you often had little to nothing left by evening. So, he goes to his neighbour’s house, knocking, asking for bread.
The neighbour, already tucked in bed, initially says, “Come back tomorrow; I’m not waking everyone up for this.” But here’s where it gets interesting: persistence pays off. The neighbour eventually gives in, not because of friendship but because of the man’s boldness—his shameless audacity.
Coming out of that parable, Jesus tells them this:
Luke 15:9-11 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Jesus says: “Ask, knock, and seek.” We should be asking Him for what we need; we should be knocking on His door, even it feels like we are at an importune time; we should be seeking for what God wants in every situation.
But Jesus, why? How can we know that if we ask you to give, if we knock, you will open, if we seek, you will help us find? I love Jesus’ answer:
Luke 11:12-13 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Why keep praying? Because if even imperfect, earthly fathers wouldn’t give their children a stone when they ask for bread, how much more will our perfect and loving heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?
Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock, not just as a method of prayer, but as an invitation into a relationship with a Father who delights in giving good things to His children. So, when you pray, remember: your Heavenly Father loves you, and His heart is to bless you with what is truly good.
