much the more; and thirdly, that we may not forget Him, for were He to grant at once what we ask, we should be liable not to pray any more to Him until we want some other favor. "God defers hearing our prayers," says St. John Chrysostom, "not because He rejects them, but because He wishes to contrive to draw us to Him. Do not leave off praying until you are heard."
When He had taught the Our Father, our divine Saviour related the following parable: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves; because a friend of mine is com^e off his journey to me^ and I have not what to set before him. And he from within should answer and say: Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I can not rise and give thee. Yet, if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet, because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; for every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened"
