First, knock.

Luke 11:5-13

           I can't imagine my best friend turning me away if I knocked on his door, even if it was midnight. Of course I can't imagine myself having the nerve to knock on my best friends door at midnight either.

           However, when you are need, you will do almost anything to satisfy that need and when you have the rarest of rare, a true friend, you will feel free to ask for what you need. In some ways I suppose it comes down to knowing whether or not you feel you have a true friend or not. So the real question is whether or not you know in your heart of hearts that God loves you and is with you. When you walk that lonely mile in life as we must all do at one time or another, is God walking with you? Is God carrying you?  It is a great visual and exemplified so nicely by 'footprints in the sand'. I have read several versions and they all express the same truth. God is with us always because he loves us and wants perhaps nothing more than to have an intimate relationship with us. Are we willing?

           I suppose the meaning to this passage is, if we knock, do we believe God will answer? Even at midnight? When he's cozy in bed? (does God get cozy in bed?)  The answer is a resounding yes!
 God will answer, God does answer! Even at inopportune times, in awkward situations and even after we  have turned on our back on him "will he answer?" God does.

            If you are in any array of problem situations, God loves you. God answers.  Death of a loved one? Lonely? Disowned by family because you are gay? Committed a crime? Made a horrible mistake? These are the midnights of our lives and God will surely answer. God answered me. God will answer you too.

       But first, knock.

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’