Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 11:9–13)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 23 (on Matthew 7:7–11). Trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf110/npnf110.iii.XXIII.html

On the earnestness that "seek" and "knock" require above bare asking:

However, not simply to ask did He command us, but with much assiduity and earnestness. For this is the meaning of "seek." For so he that seeks, putting all things out of his mind, is taken up with that alone which is sought, and forms no idea of any of the persons present. ... By "seeking," then, He declared this; by "knocking," that we approach with earnestness and a glowing mind.

On not despairing if the door is not opened at once:

And if thou dost not receive straightway, do not even thus despair. For to this end He said, "knock," to signify that even if He should not straightway open the door, we are to continue there.

On asking spiritual things, so that the petition itself does not hinder the answer:

So that if thou receive not, thy asking a stone is the cause of thy not receiving. ... Do thou also therefore ask nothing worldly, but all things spiritual, and thou wilt surely receive.

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St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444)

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermons 78–79 (on Luke 11:9–13). Trans. R. Payne Smith, Library of Fathers, 1859. Public domain. Full text: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_on_luke_07_sermons_66_80.htm

On being urgent in prayer and not fainting when the gift is delayed:

Be urgent in prayer; draw near to God Who loves to be kind; and that very constantly. And if you see that the gift of grace is delayed, yield not to weariness: despair not of the expected blessing: abandon not the hope set before you

On the fatherly wisdom that withholds what would harm us, as earthly fathers do:

Earthly fathers do not immediately and without discretion fulfil the desire of their sons: but often delay in spite of their asking, and that not because they have a grudging hand, nor again because they regard (merely) what is pleasant to the petitioners, but as considering what is useful and necessary for their good conduct.

On Luke's "good spirit" as the gift of spiritual grace:

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? And by "a good spirit" He means spiritual grace: for this in every way is good, and if a man receive it, he will become most blessed, and worthy of admiration.

On the Father's readiness to give, so that the unanswered petitioner is himself the cause:

Most ready therefore is our heavenly Father to bestow gifts upon us: so that whosoever is denied what he asks, is himself the cause of it: for he asks, as I said, what God will not give.

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St. Basil the Great (c. 330–379)

As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke (on Luke 11:9–13), trans. J. H. Newman, 1841. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On offering our own effort while crying to God for help, and praying without a wavering mind:

It becomes then a man to offer whatever belongs to him, but to cry to God to assist him. Now we must ask for the Divine assistance not slackly, nor with a mind wavering to and fro, because such a one will not only not obtain what it seeks, but will the rather provoke God to anger.

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Blessed Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, Book II, Chapter 21 (on Matthew 7:7–11). Trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 6. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf106/npnf106.v.iii.xxi.html

On the distinct offices of asking, seeking, and knocking:

The asking refers to the obtaining by request soundness and strength of mind, so that we may be able to discharge those duties which are commanded; the seeking, on the other hand, refers to the finding of the truth. ... but whoever has found the true way, will arrive at the possession itself which, however, is opened to him that knocks.

On the perseverance the promise requires:

Moreover, great hope has been given, and is given, by Him who does not deceive when He promises ... Hence there is need of perseverance, in order that we may receive what we ask, and find what we seek, and that what we knock at may be opened.

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St. Jerome (c. 347–420)

Commentary on Matthew, as preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew (on Matthew 7:7–11). Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.vii.html

On what the Lord teaches us to ask, once He has forbidden prayer for fleshly things:

Having before forbidden us to pray for things of the flesh, He now shews what we ought to ask, saying, "Ask, and it shall be given you."

On why He calls us "evil," condemning the human race in the person of the Apostles:

Or perhaps he called the Apostles evil, in their person condemning the whole human race, whose heart is set to evil from his infancy, as we read in Genesis. Nor is it any wonder that He should call this generation, "evil," as the Apostle also speaks, "Seeing the days are evil."

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St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 339–397)

From his Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, as preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke (on Luke 11:9–13). Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On the hope of obtaining as the ground that persuades us to constant prayer:

The argument then persuading to frequent prayer, is the hope of obtaining what we pray for.