Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him,  ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’  And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’  But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:5-13

Over the last couple of days, one of my neighbors has been knocking on my door again and again – not literally, but by sending me messages asking for help with his computer printer. I was able to help him and as far as I know, his printer is working.

In the passage above, Jesus tells a story to encourage His listeners to be persistent and confident in their prayers. Keep knocking, keep on seeking and keep expecting God will answer accordingly.

Finally, notice the comparison and contrast between fathers and our heavenly Father. When our kids ask us for help, we do our best to answer them. How much more can we expect from God the Father who knows exactly what we need in the moment! Keep on seeking, knocking and asking.