Prayer is a wonderful means of grace whereby God not only communes with His children but also blesses them abundantly.
In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus spoke a simple parable that illustrates the greatness and abundance of God in responding to the prayers of His people when they are persistent in prayer and trust His goodness with unwavering faith.
The rhetorical questions in verses 9 and 10 anticipate negative answers. Even ungodly parents know how to give good gifts to their children. A father would never give his child a stone instead of bread when the hungry child asked for bread.
Luke 11:12 adds another image to this: “If he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?” The stone here could have reference to a large scorpion that, when in a curled position, could resemble an egg. The deception and danger of this kind of parental response would only be found in the demon-possessed or mentally deranged.
If the hungry child asks his father for a fish and the father gives him a snake, the deception is obvious. The snake may or may not be poisonous, and when cooked would resemble a fish. However, Jews were forbidden to eat unclean foods, and a snake was categorized as an unclean food (Leviticus 11:29). It is unthinkable that a Jewish father would deliberately lead his child to partake of something forbidden in the law of God.
The argument in this passage is an a fortiori presentation, meaning a contrast is made from the lesser to the greater. Colloquially, some call it a “much more than” emphasis. If regular parents know how to give their children good gifts, God, as our heavenly Father, is willing to give his children “much more.”
If human parents know how to give their children good gifts, how much more will God give His children who ask? The emphasis, in this section of Matthew 7, has been on persistent praying — asking God regularly and consistently. Our motive when we pray is not simply asking and receiving, but, more importantly, glorifying God through prayer.
The parallel passage in Luke 11:13 says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Our bodies become a temple of the Holy Spirit when we are saved. He is always in us and with us. However, we can grieve the Spirit or quench the Spirit. We can also be filled with the Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as the greatest gift of the Father in this age.
God the Father gives His believing followers good gifts. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is intricately involved in the gifts and blessings of God.
Our confidence in prayer is not based on who we are, but who God is. It is motivated not by what we need, but for His glory. The Father has promised to give good gifts to His children who walk by faith, pray persistently with right motives, and submit to the loving wisdom and care of the heavenly Father.