PARABLE OF THE FRIEND AT NIGHT

[Albert Finch]

Luke 11:5-8 - 5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. NASB

The unexpected visitor asks for “three loaves,” one for himself, one for the guest, one as a reserve; and he so far trusts his friend as to hope that he will recognize the claims of his friendship for another. So, the implied lesson is, should the man who prays think that God will care for those for whom he pleads, and will give them also their “daily bread” in both the higher and the lower senses of the word. - Ellicott's Commentary

Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbor or friend, who is kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful. If God does not answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we continue to pray. By the influences of the Holy Spirit, we are brought to know God and ourselves, to repent, believe in, and love Christ. All these blessings our heavenly Father is more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgent parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God. - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

The plain meaning of our Saviour in this parable is to teach us that we ought not only to pray, but to be importunate with God in prayer; to continue in prayer, as the apostle phrases it in Colossians 4:2, and to watch thereunto with all perseverance in Ephesians 6:18. This in the Greek is called "anaideian", here signifies a holy boldness, or pursuing our petitions notwithstanding delays or denials. - Matthew Poole's Commentary

Into Action:

Explain "higher and lower senses of the word" in Ellicott's Commentary.

What other parable does this one resemble?

Explain the mindset of "importunate." How does it apply to Kingdom Living?

Name another term that can be applied to praying that is not discussed in these commentaries that would apply to the parable.