Luke 11:5-8

Luke 11:5-8. And he said unto them, which, &c.— Having taught his disciples, by the preceding short form, that they were not, in prayer, to use a multiplicity of words, with vain repetitions; he proceeded to caution them on the other hand against coldness, indifferency, and slackness in their supplications. The evil of this, and the necessity of askingaffectionately,with importunity and perseverance, he taught them by a parable, in which he shewed them that importunity, that is to say, earnestness and frequency in asking, were the proper and natural expressions of strong desires; and by consequence, that God very properly requires these things in men, before he bestows on them such favours as they stand in need of; just as he requires them to be earnestly desirous of these favours, before he blesseth them therewith. The passage, My children are with me in bed, Luk 11:7 might be rendered, My servants, together with me, or as well as myself are in bed. "My servants are in bed, as well as myself, and very probably they are fast asleep; so that there is nobody at hand to give you what you want."