A reading from the gospel according to Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples:
5 “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’
7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’
8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?
12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Reflection: Persistence in Prayer

Good News: If you ask, you will receive.

In the gospel reading above, Jesus teaches us the importance of persistence in prayer. It has the same message with the story of the Widow and the Unjust Judge in Luke 18:1-8. It is also similar with the teaching of Saint Paul that we ought to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

God is our loving father. At all times God is good and He knows our needs before we even tell Him. He gives our daily bread. Yet it is His will that we are in constant communication with Him. It is not necessary that we lock ourselves in a room and pray for long hours but it is possible to keep on praying while at work or at play. We just have to fill our mind with thoughts of God. It takes a lot of practice to do that.

When we are persistent in our prayer, we have the tendency to know more about God and about ourselves. In other words, we acquire additional knowledge and wisdom. We know better what to pray for. Moreover, we become more patient and more humble.

God answers all prayers. When we don’t receive what we pray for, that is already the answer. It means that what we are praying for is not in accordance with His will. When the answer to our prayer is delayed, that is also the answer. God’s timing is always the best so we need to learn how to be patient. Let us trust Him to grant anything that we ask for because He is our mighty and loving father. Above all, let us continually seek His will for us and His righteousness and all the things that we need will be provided.

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Jesus presents a powerful teaching on persistence in prayer through the parable of a friend in need. The story is simple yet profound: A man goes to his friend at midnight, asking for bread to feed an unexpected guest. At first, the friend refuses, citing the inconvenience of the late hour. But because of the man’s bold persistence, his friend eventually gets up and gives him what he needs.

This parable teaches us an essential lesson about our relationship with God. Sometimes, we may feel as though our prayers are going unanswered. We may grow weary and think that God is distant, unaware of our struggles. Yet, this passage encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking because persistence moves the heart of God.

1. The Power of Bold Prayer
Jesus highlights the importance of approaching God with confidence. The man in the parable did not hesitate to go to his friend, even at an inconvenient time, because he had faith that his request would be heard. Likewise, we are invited to approach God with boldness. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Bold prayer is not about demanding from God but trusting in His goodness and willingness to provide. We can come to Him at any time, knowing that He is always ready to listen and respond.

2. Persistence Pays Off
Jesus emphasizes persistence: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). Each action—asking, seeking, knocking—represents a level of intensity. Sometimes, our prayers require persistence because what we are asking for may involve deeper spiritual growth, trust, or timing that is different from our own.

The persistence of the man in the parable paid off, even though the friend initially hesitated. This reminds us that God’s delays are not His denials. There are times when we need to wait and persevere, trusting that God’s timing is perfect. We must continue to pray, even when the answers seem far off.

3. God’s Faithfulness as a Loving Father
At the heart of this passage is the assurance of God’s character. Jesus asks, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” (Luke 11:11). Jesus compares earthly fathers, who give good gifts to their children, with our heavenly Father, who gives even better gifts. If imperfect humans can give good things to their children, how much more will our perfect Father in heaven give to those who ask?

This comparison reveals that God is not just a distant deity but a loving Father who delights in giving good things to His children. He hears every prayer and answers them according to His wisdom, love, and timing.

Keep Knocking
The Gospel reading above encourages us to persevere in prayer with boldness and faith. God’s silence is not His absence, and His delays are not His refusals. As we persist in prayer, we grow in trust and deepen our relationship with Him. So, keep asking, seeking, and knocking—trusting that our loving Father will open the door in His perfect time.