The Friend at Midnight

“The Friend at Midnight”
Pastor Kent Munsey
March 1, 2020

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

• Luke 11:1-10, NIV

In Luke 11:1-10, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. We are supposed to pray to our Father in heaven as a father who will always hear us when we ask. In this passage, Jesus also shares the parable of “The Friend at Midnight.”

In this parable, a man goes to his friend at midnight to ask for bread. This is a major inconvenience as the whole family is asleep in one room together, probably with their animals too, and the friend would have had to get up, disrupting the whole family, and prepare the bread. Yet the knocking persists, and the man continues to ask, even though his friend has said “no” to his first ask. 

From this parable we learn how we are to approach God, our heavenly Father, when we pray. Jesus recommends shameless audacity when making a request to God, like the man in the story who doesn’t give up even when his friend tells him to go away.

1. We need to have the proper perspective.

God is not like this midnight friend. This is a parable, not an allegory, meaning it should serve as a contrast when compared with the Kingdom truth that Jesus is using it to illustrate. 

Our Father in heaven transcends time and space. Unlike the midnight friend, it is never too early or too late to make a request. We are not too much of a burden. Our heavenly Father is omnipotent, so our request poses no problem. He has an unlimited supply of grace and mercy. His ways are above our ways (Isaiah 55). He will never send you away, nor is he ever too tired to help us.

2. We need to be persistent.

Some theologians say we should never ask God for something more than once because it is a sign of doubt to do so. But persistence is not a sign of doubt. Persistence means that we are so intent on our request that we are actually expressing faith by not letting go. 

Our Father in heaven is so much better than any earthly father we have ever seen. Our relationship with him should be based on trust in his faithful and continued provision. 

3. We need to be passionate.

In the 1992 Summer Olympics, athlete Derek Redmond tore his hamstring during the 400 meter sprint. He decided to continue the race limping, and his father joined him on the track, supporting him through a full lap while the audience gave him a standing ovation. His passion is what led him to that place of persistence. 

When it comes to the things that are essential to who we are and who God has called us to be, then our passion will lead us to persistence in our prayers. Our heavenly Father will always support the dreams he has placed in our heart and provide what we need to live out the call he has placed on our lives. 

We need to be guided by a passion that is bigger than ourselves. Like Jeremiah, we need to pray with a zeal for the things of God that is like a fire shut up in our bones (Jeremiah 20:9). We need a passion for our call, persistence, and the proper perspective of who God is. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. How does this story shape your perspective of who God is as a Father? 

2. Have you forgotten how God is never bothered by your needs? Will this reminder encourage you to pray with higher expectations?

3. What dream or goal are you passionate about that you believe God has placed in your heart?

4. List some things that you have stopped praying about. Does this message inspire you to start praying for them again?