4
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
5
Then he said, "Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
6
An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have a thing on hand.'
7
"The friend answers from his bed, 'Don't bother me. The door's locked; my children are all down for the night; I can't get up to give you anything.'
8
"But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9
"Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open.
10
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.
11
If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?
12
If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?
13
As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing - you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
14
Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise.