11:8Luke 11:8

At midnight a man with nothing to feed an unexpected traveler asks a neighbor for bread and, though refused because the house is shut for the night, receives all he needs because he refuses to stop asking.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26+3 The unwilling neighbor yields only to end the disturbance, and by contrast God is not reluctant but delights to give to those who come to Him in faith.ST Mar 16, 1915+3 Answers may be delayed, so seekers are to keep earnestly presenting their requests with confidence that no sincere knocking will be turned away.19MR 227.3–228.2+4 Such persistence does not change God but deepens desire, strengthens faith, brings union with Christ, and leads to self-examination and repentance of whatever hinders blessing.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+3 The asking is not for self alone but to receive spiritual bread from God in order to feed hungry souls, for His servants must receive before they can impart.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+3

The verse closes the parable of the friend at midnight, given after the disciples, moved by seeing Christ absorbed in aloud supplication after a short absence, asked Him to teach them to pray.COL 140.1–3 Having repeated the Lord's prayer as given in the sermon on the mount, He illustrated the lesson with this story.COL 140.1–3 At midnight a man goes to a friend to borrow three loaves because a traveling friend has come to him and he has nothing to set before him.COL 140.1–3+1 He meets refusal because the door is shut and the household is in bed, yet he obtains as many loaves as he needs because of importunity.COL 140.1–3+1 His urgent seeking is to provide for the belated traveler, and his persistence in refusing to desist secures help for the guest.ST Jan 14, 1897

The verse stands in Christ's teaching on prayer in Luke 11:1-13, whose promise is summed up as ask and ye shall receive.Ms 54, 1895, par. 8–13 It strengthens the call to ask, seek, and knock, showing that persistent asking can move someone to meet a need even when friendship alone does not.DA 495.3 Its lesson encouraged the disciples' wavering faith in prayer.DA 495.3 The need to show hospitality is no reason to turn a visitor away, for even without bread one can ask a neighbor for it, and persistent asking can obtain what is needed to receive and care for a guest.2T 28.2

Importunity is persistent, earnest asking that refuses to accept denial and keeps pleading until there is assurance that the help needed from God has been secured, and when the needs of souls are thus presented to the Redeemer such persistence is itself an expression of faith.Ms 8, 1892, par. 11–12+1
The man at midnight finally rises and gives his neighbor as much food as he needs, not because friendship moves him to help but because persistent entreaty wears down his selfish indifference and unwillingness to be troubled.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26+2 Even when friendship alone would not move him to rise, continued asking can obtain what is needed, and the host who urgently seeks bread to provide for a belated traveler secures help for his guest because he will not desist.Ms 23, 1899, par. 1–4+4 The lesson strengthens the call to ask, seek, and knock, encouraging wavering faith in prayer, and it illustrates prayer that is simple, earnest, and comprehensive, bringing a person directly into God's presence, where prayer offered in faith is powerful and effective.Ms 23, 1899, par. 1–4+1 Applied to prayer this means continuing to ask earnestly and patiently when an answer does not come at once, including when praying for the sick.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 Perseverance in prayer is thus encouraged, but by contrast God's response does not come from selfishness or from a wish merely to end annoyance.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26

Though repeatedly refused, the petitioner does not give up but presses his request until he is rewarded.19MR 319.1–2+2 His persistence both moves the householder to provide as much bread as he needs despite the initial refusal and leads the petitioner himself to a stronger desire for what is requested.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5 So those who pray are to keep presenting their requests to God with confidence in His promise to answer, for God tests faith and urges continued petitions, deepening earnestness and desire and strengthening faith and spiritual union with Christ.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+2 Prayer does not change God but brings people into harmony with Him, and when the answer is not immediate He may lead them to examine their hearts and repent of sin, using tests, trials, and humiliation to reveal what hinders the Holy Spirit.COL 143.1+1 Unlike the reluctant friend, God is always attentive and does not turn away those who seek Him wholeheartedly, and those who humbly ask in faith for grace and an intelligent knowledge of truth to help others in need will receive what they need.19MR 319.1–2

The parable teaches by contrast rather than by comparison, for the selfish neighbor does not picture the character of God.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26+2 The man at last rises and supplies as much as is needed, not because friendship moves him to help but because persistent entreaty wears down his selfish indifference and unwillingness to be troubled.Ms 93, 1898, par. 21–26 He grants the urgent request only to rid himself of the one disturbing his rest and to end the annoyance.RH Aug 11, 1910+1

God is not reluctant like that friend, but is compassionate, delights to give, and longs to grant the requests of those who come to Him in faith.ST Mar 16, 1915+2 He gives to His people so that they may minister to others and thus become like Himself.RH Aug 11, 1910+1 Those who pray must therefore persevere and not give up asking or interceding, knowing they need His grace and spiritual food, for without receiving them they have nothing to give to hungry souls.ST Mar 16, 1915+1

God never answers prayer the way the unwilling neighbor does, for He is true and unchanging.COL 148.1–3 The honor of His throne is pledged to fulfill His word to those who come confessing unworthiness and sin, pleading His name, His throne, and His covenant.COL 148.1–3 Christ as High Priest bears the names of all His people on His heart and remembers every word by which He has encouraged trust.COL 148.1–3 No one who seeks will fail to find, and no one who knocks will be told that the door is shut or that help cannot be given.COL 148.1–3 Delay does not deny the heavenly Father's love, for He watches over His sheep and lambs by day and by night, loves every soul for whom Christ died, and does not will that even one of His little ones should perish.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20

Prayer may not receive an immediate answer, so the needy are to keep earnestly presenting their requests to God with confidence in His promise, trusting Him while they wait for Him to answer in His wisdom and for His name's glory.19MR 227.3–228.2+3 The neighbor gives bread not because of friendship but because the petitioner persists, and the lesson applies that persistence to prayer, including praying for the sick.19MR 227.3–228.2+2 Answers sometimes come at once and sometimes come only after earnest pleading, as faith patiently continues to ask for what is needed and holds on while waiting.HPMMW 51.4–52.1+2 Petitions prompted by the Lord and shaped by His will are answered, and people need divine enlightenment to know how to ask for what they need.Ms 29, 1911, par. 18–19+1

Persistent prayer does not change God but brings people into harmony with Him.COL 143.1+1 It deepens earnestness and desire, for the midnight petitioner's persistence both moves the householder to provide as much bread as needed despite initial refusal and leads to a stronger desire for what is requested.Ms 111, 1898, par. 2–5+1 The more earnestly and steadfastly a person asks, the closer the spiritual union with Christ becomes, and increased earnestness brings increased faith and increased faith brings increased blessing.ST Mar 16, 1915+1 When the answer is not immediate God may lead them to examine their hearts and repent of sin, using tests, trials, and humiliation to reveal what hinders the Holy Spirit from working through them.COL 143.1

God tests faith by delay and urges continued petitions to the throne of grace because it is for the petitioner's good.19MR 319.1–2+1 Delay does not deny the heavenly Father's love, for He watches over His sheep and lambs by day and by night, loves every soul for whom Christ died, and does not will that even one of His little ones should perish.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20 Unlike the reluctant friend, God is always attentive and does not turn away those who seek Him wholeheartedly, and those who humbly ask in faith for grace and an intelligent knowledge of truth to help others in need will receive grace for grace.19MR 319.1–2+1

Simple, earnest, comprehensive prayer brings a person directly into God's presence, and prayer offered in faith is powerful and effective.Ms 23, 1899, par. 1–4 Persistence in asking can obtain what is needed even when a request is not granted merely because of friendship.Ms 23, 1899, par. 1–4 God answers those who wrestle with Him for the Holy Spirit, and in answer to fervent prayer He can turn human thoughts and hearts as He turns the waters of the sea.Ms 242, 1902, par. 11

Importunate prayer is to be joined with good works, watching unto prayer, and cooperating with the prayer-hearing God by speaking and acting in harmony with prayer.COL 146.1–2+2 Persistent prayer joined with good works gives evidence of confidence in God, for faith without works is dead.ST Sep 15, 1898+1 The human part is to pray and believe, so that trial proves whether faith is genuine and not only a form.COL 146.1–2

Persistent, earnest prayer is not wearying to God, for even the friend in the parable gives what is needed because of continued asking, and God welcomes His people to bring every care, desire, and need to Him in persevering prayer.ST May 28, 1896 God is pleased when His people importune Him in earnest prayer, making Him their only trust and the strength of the soul and taking hold upon Him with implicit confidence.Lt 403, 1906, par. 3 That means persistently asking God for His grace and favor, not only for oneself but for others who are in need of help, praying and believing and continuing to pray with certainty that the Lord hears.ST May 28, 1896+1

There is no improper hour for prayer because His eye never slumbers nor sleeps.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20 He always hears the prayer of the humble suppliant and grants blessing, is always attentive, does not turn away indifferently those who seek Him wholeheartedly, and never turns away unblessed those who seek Him with the whole heart.19MR 319.1–2+2 Although an answer may not come immediately, God does not turn away indifferently but hears persistent prayer.19MR 319.1–2+1

The midnight visitor is pleading at midnight not for himself but that he may give again, because he must obtain bread or he cannot supply the necessities of a weary, belated traveler who has come to him when he has nothing to set before him.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 His persistence finally secures what is needed, for though the neighbor is unwilling to be troubled and refuses because of friendship, the man does not desist but presses his request until his importunity is rewarded and all he needs is supplied.ST Mar 16, 1915+4 The illustration inspires trust and confidence in God: those who pray are not to give up but to persevere in asking, because they need grace and spiritual food from God in order to serve others.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3

In like manner the disciples must seek blessings from God in order to give the bread of life to the people as His representatives.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 They must receive before they can share, for they need His grace and spiritual food, and without receiving them they have nothing to impart and nothing to give others.Ms 31, 1898, par. 2–3+4 They are not to turn one soul away unfed but are directed to the source of supply.ST Mar 16, 1915+1

Appointed to feed the hungry, they will often be thrown into unexpected positions, have their faith tried, realize their human insufficiency, and feel destitute and helpless when souls hungering for the bread of life come to them.COL 140.4–5+1 God who sent His servants to feed the hungry will supply their need for His own work.COL 140.4–5+1

Those who humbly ask in faith for grace and an intelligent knowledge of truth to help others in need will receive grace for grace.19MR 319.1–2+1 Those who persistently plead for bread for hungry souls, begging at midnight for loaves to feed them, will succeed and receive what they need to impart.COL 148.1–3+4 The delay does not deny the heavenly Father's love, for He watches over His sheep and lambs by day and by night, loves every soul for whom Christ died, and does not will that even one of His little ones should perish.Ms 59, 1900, par. 19–20

What is received is to be shared with others.4MR 335.2+2 Those who ask for the Holy Spirit are to press their request and will receive, and receiving the Spirit requires consecration, self-denial, and following Christ.4MR 335.2 Persistent prayer and dependence on God bring help, giving workers wisdom and understanding and the bread of life to share, with instruction and light received through continuing trust even while working with the hands.Lt 166, 1899, par. 4–8+1

The same persistent pleading applies to pressing petitions at the mercy seat, interceding for pardon and for the conversion of relatives and neighbors, since living faith in prayer brings the grace provided by Christ.4SP 224.1 It applies to continuing to ask earnestly and patiently when an answer does not come at once, including when praying for the sick.HPMMW 51.4–52.1 The importunate man's repeated request for food represents continued appeals for help pressed until answered, relieving the needs of neglected missionary fields.Lt 143, 1899, par. 10–11 The soul is to plead fervently for purity and salvation and remain before God until a deep longing for salvation and the assurance of pardoned sin are gained.MYP 268.2 Applied to soul-winning, it presents workers pleading for spiritual bread to share with others and calls for the church's prayers for them.Lt 10, 1899, par. 29–32

Humble Christians who keep asking and serving others are effective in their work and greatly blessed in soul-saving labor.STB 579.1–2+3 Begging at midnight for loaves pictures urgently seeking spiritual provision for hungry souls, and those who do this are blessed.STB 579.1–2+1 Earnest, persistent prayer offered in living faith matters more than formal words alone, for in councils humble, heartfelt prayer brings those present into harmony with God, and without divine wisdom and guidance they may act unjustly.5T 560.1