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 much the  more;  and  thirdly,  that  we  may not forget  Him,  for  were  He  to  grant  at  once what we  ask,  we  should  be  liable  not  to  pray any more  to  Him  until  we  want  some  other favor. "God defers  hearing  our  prayers," says St.  John  Chrysostom,  "not  because  He rejects  them,  but  because  He  wishes  to  contrive to  draw  us  to  Him.  Do  not  leave  off praying  until  you  are  heard."

When He  had  taught  the  Our  Father,  our divine Saviour  related  the  following  parable: Which of  you  shall  have  a  friend,  and  shall go to  him  at  midnight,  and  shall  say  to  him: Friend, lend  me  three  loaves;  because  a friend  of  mine  is  com^e  off  his  journey  to  me^ and I  have  not  what  to  set  before  him. And he from  within  should  answer  and  say: Trouble me  not;  the  door  is  now  shut,  and my children  are  with  me  in  bed;  I  can  not rise and  give  thee. Yet, if  he  shall  continue knocking, I  say  to  you,  although  he  will  not rise and  give  him  because  he  is  his  friend, yet, because  of  his  importunity,  he  will  rise and give  him  as  many  as  he  needeth. And I say  to  you:  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you; seek, and  you  shall  find;  knock,  and  it  shall be opened  to  you;  for  every  one  that  asketh, receiveth; and  he  that  seeketh,  findeth;  and to him  that  knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened"