11:7Luke 11:7

After the repetition of the Lord's prayer the verse is given as an illustration of prayer by the story of a man going to a friend at midnight for bread.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+1 The answer from within is unwilling, that the house is troubled, the door shut and the children in bed, so he cannot rise to give.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2 The petitioner comes at midnight for three loaves because a weary traveler has come to him and he has nothing to set before him, asking not to keep for himself but to supply another's need.COL 140.4–5+2 Earnest, importunate pleading that will not accept denial overcomes the refusal, so that persistence is rewarded and as much as is needed is given.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 The selfish neighbor who yields only to rid himself of disturbance does not picture God, for the lesson is by contrast, since God delights to give and gladly answers those who ask in faith.ST Mar 16, 1915+2 So disciples are to ask God for the Bread of life and spiritual strength in order to feed hungry souls, and apparent refusal and delay are no reason to stop praying.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4

The verse stands in teaching given after the request to be taught to pray, when after repeating the Lord's prayer as given in the sermon on the mount the lesson on prayer was illustrated by the story of a man going to a friend at midnight to ask for three loaves for a traveling friend.COL 140.1–3 It is the answer from inside the house in that parable, the unwilling neighbor's excuse for not rising to give.COL 140.1–3

It records refusal because the door is shut and the children are in bed, with the plea not to be troubled and the claim that he cannot get up and give bread.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 The refusal is at first, setting up continued pleading that overcomes it, and it reveals selfish indifference and unwillingness to be disturbed.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+2 The scene illustrates persistent prayer in which the petitioner seeks bread not for himself alone but to meet need, and must keep asking rather than be turned away, trusting and persevering in asking for grace and spiritual food in order to give to others.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+3

The petitioner comes at midnight because a weary, belated traveler on a journey, a needy wayfaring friend, has come to him and he has nothing to set before his guest.COL 140.4–5+3 He asks for three loaves not to keep for himself but so he can give again, for he must obtain bread or he cannot supply the need of his friend who must be relieved.COL 140.4–5+2 Though his neighbor is unwilling to be troubled, he will not stop pleading until his wants are supplied, and his earnest determination to obtain the loaves illustrates persistent prayer for what is needed to give spiritual strength and light to others.COL 140.4–5+2

The midnight refusal, with the door shut and the children in bed and the claim that he cannot rise and give bread, illustrates persistent prayer that keeps asking rather than being turned away.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 The petitioner seeks bread not for himself alone but to meet the need of a weary traveler, and he must keep asking, seeking, and knocking in trust and confidence in God until the need is supplied.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 Prayer is to be earnest, importunate, and persevering, powerful when offered in faith, refusing to stop pleading or to accept denial.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 The man inside at first refuses to be disturbed, revealing selfish indifference unlike God as the best Friend, yet he eventually gives because persistent entreaty wears him down, not because friendship moves him.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2 Answers may not come immediately, so those who ask should continue presenting their requests while seeking divine enlightenment to know and ask for what is truly needed.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2

Continued pleading overcomes the initial refusal, so that importunity is at last rewarded and wants are supplied.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+4 The obstacle does not stop the petitioner, who keeps asking until the neighbor rises and supplies what is needed, giving as much as is needed even if moved only by persistence rather than friendship.ST Mar 16, 1915+4 Persistent asking brings the petitioner to greater earnestness and desire for what is sought.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+1 The more earnestly and steadfastly a person asks, the closer the spiritual union with Christ becomes, and blessings increase because faith increases.ST Mar 16, 1915+1 In this way trial proves faith genuine rather than mere form.COL 146.1–2

The human part is to pray and believe, to watch unto prayer and to cooperate with the prayer-hearing God by speaking and acting in harmony with prayer.COL 146.1–2+1 God hears prayer, and even when an answer does not come immediately He does not turn away indifferently.Ms 29, 1911, par. 18–19+2 Persistent prayer joined with good works shows confidence in God.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+1

The reluctant neighbor who pleads that the door is shut and the children are in bed and he does not want to be disturbed is selfish and indifferent, and he does not picture God, for the lesson is by contrast and not by comparison.ST Mar 16, 1915+3 He yields at last not from friendship but because persistent entreaty wears him down, granting the urgent request only to rid himself of one who disturbs his rest.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26+2 Unlike that selfish indifference, God is presented as the best Friend, compassionate and glad to answer those who ask in faith.ST Mar 16, 1915+3

He delights to give, is full of compassion, and longs to grant the requests of those who come to Him in faith, giving willingly rather than grudgingly.ST Mar 16, 1915+2 He is a divine Friend with abundant spiritual riches for everyone who recognizes need and asks in simple, trusting faith, with the assurance that those who seek find and to those who knock the door shall be opened.ST Mar 16, 1915+1 He will not refuse help nor say He cannot help those who ask for bread to feed hungry souls, but supplies what they need.COL 148.1–3+1

The shut door and refusal to rise do not mean God rejects prayer as coming at an improper hour, and apparent delay is not indifferent turning away.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20+2 His eye never slumbers nor sleeps, He always hears the prayer of the humble suppliant, He does not turn away indifferently from His people even when the answer does not come immediately, and He never turns away unblessed those who seek Him with the whole heart.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20+2 He gives so that those who receive may minister to others and thus become like Himself.COL 141.1

The midnight petitioner does not ask to keep for himself but to meet the need of a weary, belated traveler who has come to him with nothing to set before him, and though the friend inside answers that the door is shut and the children are in bed so he cannot rise and give bread, the petitioner must keep asking rather than be turned away.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2 The scene illustrates persistent prayer and trust and confidence in God in seeking grace and spiritual food in order to give to others.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+1 The neighbor at last supplies what is needed because of persistence, yet he does not represent God's character, for the lesson is by contrast since God is compassionate and gladly answers those who ask in faith.ST Mar 16, 1915 In the same way Christ's disciples must ask God for what they need in order to give spiritual food to others, turning to God for the bread of life so they can feed people who hunger for it.ST Mar 16, 1915+3

The bread sought at midnight represents the Bread of life, the spiritual strength and light and food that believers must receive from God before they can share it with spiritually hungry souls.Ms 111, 1898, par. 14–15 The earnest determination to obtain the loaves illustrates persistent prayer for what is needed to give that strength and light to others, and those who ask for what hungry souls need will be successful.Ms 99, 1902, par. 15+2 As people receive from God they are to share what they have received with others, imparting as they receive and bringing spiritual nourishment to people.Ms 99, 1902, par. 15+2 Those who do this work of pleading for bread for hungry souls are blessed and greatly blessed.STB 579.1–2+2 The example belongs to humble Christians and humble workers who go out to invite others to the gospel feast and seek what they need to minister to them, including saving souls through house-to-house ministry and inviting people to receive the gospel.STB 426.2+1

The appeal for bread is seeking God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit so workers can share the bread of life with others, asking and working for the good of people who lack hope.Lt 166, 1899, par. 4–8 When believers feel great need for grace and intelligent knowledge of truth in order to give the bread of life to those in need, asking in humble faith brings grace for grace.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20 The picture is applied to asking for the Holy Spirit, who is received by those consecrated to God, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Christ, with what is received to be imparted to others.4MR 335.2 Christ calls for earnest, importunate prayer and wrestling with God for the vitalizing power and impartation of this Spirit, for there is efficiency in fervent prayer and in answer God turns the thoughts and hearts of men as He turns the waters of the sea.Ms 242, 1902, par. 11 Right asking needs grace and divine enlightenment through the Spirit to know what to ask and to ask for what is truly needed, and petitions prompted by the Lord will be answered.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 The lesson is applied to pleading with God for the Holy Spirit and for the salvation of others, while trusting Christ as the sufficient helper and committing the needs presented to Him.Ms 8, 1892, par. 11–12

As appointed representatives sent to feed the hungry, the disciples were to seek blessings from God so they would have spiritual food to impart and give the bread of life to the people.COL 140.4–5 Their faith would often be tried in unexpected positions where they would feel human insufficiency, destitute and helpless before souls hungering for the bread of life, yet they were not to turn one soul away unfed.COL 140.4–5 As the man who had nothing to set before his friend at midnight did not turn him away but went to one who had food and pressed his request until his need was supplied, Christ directs them to the source of supply, and God who sent His servants to feed the hungry will supply their need for His own work.COL 140.4–5 Lack of bread is no reason to turn away a visitor; one should seek help and welcome the guest, trusting God to provide.2T 28.2 Those who plead for what hungry souls need and share as they receive are blessed in bringing spiritual nourishment through house-to-house work and invitation to the gospel.Ms 99, 1902, par. 15+3

The shut door and the unwilling voice from inside mean apparent refusal and delay, not a reason to stop praying.19MR 227.3–228.2+4 Answers to prayer may not come immediately, sometimes coming at once and sometimes requiring patient waiting while still pleading earnestly.19MR 227.3–228.2+4 Those who ask should therefore keep asking earnestly and patiently even when no immediate response is realized, continuing to present requests until the need is supplied.19MR 227.3–228.2+4 The householder at last gives as much as is needed because of persistence, and the lesson means more than can be imagined, calling for keeping on asking, seeking, and knocking.Ms 29, 1911, par. 18–19+3 Such persistent asking deepens earnestness and desire for what is sought, brings closer spiritual union with Christ, and is accompanied by increased faith and blessing.ST Mar 16, 1915

God tries faith by delay and encourages pressing petitions to the throne of grace for good.COL 143.1+1 The closed door and refusal to rise do not mean rejection at an improper hour, for His eye never slumbers nor sleeps and He always hears the prayer of the humble suppliant.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20 He never turns away unblessed those who seek Him with the whole heart, and when believers feel great need for grace and intelligent knowledge of truth in order to give the bread of life to those in need, asking in humble faith brings grace for grace.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20 Prayer does not change God but brings the one praying into harmony with Him, while He may use tests, trials, and humiliation to lead to searching of heart and repentance and to reveal what hinders the work of the Holy Spirit.COL 143.1 Christ as wonderful Counsellor looks upon His church with intense interest and tender sympathy and enters into the depth of human necessities, yet His ways are not human ways because He sees the result of every action.ST Feb 14, 1906 Many blessings are lost by failing to bring needs and cares and sorrows to Him and by following supposedly wise plans of human making instead of trusting patiently in His wisdom, so all plans must be laid at His feet and importunate prayers must continue to ascend while waiting for the answer.ST Feb 14, 1906

Right asking needs grace and divine enlightenment through the Spirit to know what to ask and to ask for what is truly needed.Ms 29, 1911, par. 18–19+1 Petitions prompted by the Lord will be answered.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 If the request is for His name's glory He will speak acceptance and grant it according to the word of faith.ST Feb 14, 1906

The midnight request for bread, refused because the door is shut and the children are in bed, illustrates persistent prayer that keeps asking rather than being turned away.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+1 The setting gives force to the instruction to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, and strengthens trust and confidence that God hears those who call to Him.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2 Even when an answer does not come immediately, God does not turn away from His people indifferently.Ms 33, 1898, par. 13–14 Persistent prayer joined with good works shows confidence in God.Ms 33, 1898, par. 13–14+1 God is pleased when His people importune Him with earnest, persistent prayer, taking hold upon Him as their only trust and the strength of the soul, praying and believing and praying again with implicit confidence in the Lord Jesus.Lt 403, 1906, par. 3 Asking in faith is powerful, teaching perseverance in asking for grace and spiritual food needed in order to give to others, including asking for grace and favor not only for oneself but for others in need of help.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+2

The shut door does not forbid importunate prayer for the salvation of others, for purity, and for assurance of pardoned sin, and such earnest determined pleading gains its request.4SP 224.1+2 Continued importunity brings conversion of relatives or neighbors and a richer experience, continuing until deep longing for salvation and assurance are received.4SP 224.1+1 Pleading is to be for the Holy Spirit and for others, trusting Christ as the sufficient helper and committing presented needs to Him, praying and believing and praying again with implicit confidence in the Lord Jesus.Ms 8, 1892, par. 11–12+1 Grace and favor are to be asked not only for oneself but for others in need of help, including one whose way is objectionable while preparing for the test of the judgment, and such importunity will certainly be heard, for persistent prayer does not weary God.Lt 403, 1906, par. 3+1 Even the smallest cares, desires and needs may be kept presented with earnestness and a spirit of intercession.ST May 28, 1896

For the sick the unwilling answer means delay, not a reason to stop praying, for faith is essential and answers sometimes come immediately and sometimes require waiting patiently while continuing to plead earnestly.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 Keeping on asking, seeking and knocking is required even when no immediate response is realized, and right asking needs grace and divine enlightenment through the Spirit to know what to ask, with petitions prompted by the Lord answered.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 Wrestling with God is needed for the impartation of the vitalizing power of the Holy Spirit, and there is efficiency in fervent prayer, in answer to which God turns the thoughts and hearts of men as He turns the waters of the sea.Ms 242, 1902, par. 11 Prayer for instruction and guidance is to be kept in mind and continued in faith until the answer is received.FE 530.3

Those who plead for bread for hungry souls are greatly blessed, and those who persistently seek it will be successful.STB 426.2+1 The lesson belongs to humble workers who seek to save souls through house-to-house ministry and go out to invite others to receive the gospel and come to the gospel feast, imparting as they receive.STB 426.2+1 As the traveler’s need drew urgent continued appeal that at last obtained a response, so persistent pleas obtain resources to meet needs in missionary fields.Lt 143, 1899, par. 10–11