"knocking On Heaven’s Door:" The Friend At Midnight

Parables to Live By

“Knocking on Heaven’s Door:” The Friend at Midnight

Luke 11:5-13

Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEL0NII1Shs

In 1973, Bob Dylan wrote what some consider one of the most famous folk songs in the U.S. It was written for the movie, “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” entitled, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

There were only a few lyrics but the most telling was when he said, “I feel I’m knocking on heaven’s door. Knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door.”

And while it really has no reference to the subject of today’s parable, it does have the overarching theme of knocking on God’s door, and in our parable, it’s about wanting God to hear our plea.

The Parable is known as “The Friend at Midnight.” And it answers some of the fears and frustrations we all have in our relationship with our heavenly Father. We wonder, “Does God even hear us, and if so, why isn’t Heanswering?”

The story Jesus gives is to assure us that God is indeed hearing our prayers, and His delight is to answer, but the way He lets us know through this parable is rather unorthodox. But before we delve into this unusual parable, it’s important to see what prompted Jesus to tell this story, and to see the larger context of its meaning. So, let’s pick up our reading in chapter 11:1-4

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Luke 11:1-4 NKJV)

Luke’s account of the Lord’s Prayer is not the most familiar nor repeated, but it is nonetheless well known. It is given based upon a request from one of Jesus’s disciples, which one we don’t know, but his request is that Jesus teach them to pray.

Now, it’s important to note that the disciple doesn’t ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, but rather to pray. There’s a big difference. G. Campbell Morgan, an author of over 60 books and pastor of Westminster Church in London during the early 1900’s said concerning this disciple’s request.

“This man wanted to know, not the method, but to find the secret of praying; two very different things. There are many people who know how to pray, but they do not pray.” (G Campbell Morgan)

Jesus’s answer to this request was to give what many consider the model for prayer, but not one to be memorized and constantly regurgitated back to God. Jesus never said, “Say these words,” but rather, when we pray to use them as a template.

Matthew’s gospel quotes Jesus saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray.” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV)

This is a pattern for prayer, not a substitute for prayer. Now, from Matthew’s account, and even Luke’s, this prayer Jesus taught can be broken down in much the greater detail. Many books have been written on this prayer alone and many sermon series have been preached on prayer because of it.

But seeing that this isn’t the focus of our time together, let me just suggest the two parts that this prayer is divided into, which should help our prayer life tremendously.

Acknowledge God and Honor Him

All prayer should begin with our acknowledging who it is that we’re talking to. When we call someone on the phone we always ask and acknowledge the person we are calling. Well, it’s no different with our prayers. Sometimes we get so wrapped up with what we’re calling about, what we’re praying about, that sometimes we forget who we’re praying to.

And so, what Jesus tells us is that we need to acknowledge the Lord God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life. It acknowledges that He is in charge and that He is holy and sovereign.

So, our prayers are first to adore and worship the Father, and to honor Him.

Request for God’s Help

In bringing our requests to God, prayer then is our declaration that we depend upon God for all things. It’s asking God for our needs, not our greeds, hence, “Give us each day our daily bread,”, not “Give me enough bread to last a lifetime.”

What our prayers should contain is our cry for God to supply our daily necessities, forgiveness, and protection. It asks God for His help from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Prayer understands that we need God, and that we cannot make it on our own.