Conclusion of Counsel To Martha And Instruction On Prayer

"Who of you will have a friend," Jesus begins, "and will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, loan me three loaves, because a friend of mine has just come to me on a journey and I have nothing to set before him?' And that one from inside says in reply, 'Quit making me trouble. The door is already locked, and my young children are with me in bed; I cannot rise up and give you anything.' I tell you, although he will not rise up and give him anything because of being his friend, certainly because of his bold persistence he will get up and give him what he needs."

By this comparison, Jesus does not mean to imply that Jehovah God is unwilling to respond to petitions, as was the friend in his story. No, but he is illustrating that if an unwilling friend will respond to persistent requests, how much more so will our loving heavenly Father! So Jesus continues: "Accordingly I say to you, Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking, it will be opened."

Jesus then makes a reference to imperfect, sinful human fathers, saying: "Indeed, which father is there among you who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!" Indeed, what motivating encouragement Jesus provides to be persistent in prayer. Luke 10:38-11:13.

Next time: The Source Of Happiness

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991