And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
All Commentaries on Luke 11:9 Go To Luke 11
Cyril of Alexandria
AD 444
We sometimes come near to our bounteous God offering him petitions for various objects according to each one’s pleasure. Sometimes we pray without discernment or any careful examination of what truly is to our advantage, and if granted by God would prove a blessing or would be to our injury if we received it. Rather, by the inconsiderate impulse of our fancy, we fall into desires full of ruin that thrust the souls of those that entertain them into the snare of death and the meshes of hell. When we ask of God anything of this kind, we will by no means receive it. On the contrary, we offer a petition suitable only for ridicule. Why will we not receive it? Is the God of all weary of bestowing gifts on us? By no means. “Why then,” someone may say, “will he not give, since he is bounteous in giving?” …When he says, “You who are evil,” he means “you whose mind is capable of being influenced by evil and not uniformly inclined to good like the God of all.” “You know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give a good spirit to them that ask him?” By a “good spirit” he means “spiritual grace.” This is good in every way. If a person receives it, he will become most blessed and worthy of admiration. Commentary on Luke, Homily
