human
Don't you remember what the Master said of the man to whose door a friend came in the night and begged for bread? He had gone to bed, took no heed of his friend's knocking, and at length called out: 'Go away and let me sleep.' But the friend continued to knock and to complain that he needed bread, and began noisily to shake the door. That lasted until the man in bed could endure it no longer. Out of temper, he got up, took some bread and gave it to his friend through the window. He did not give it him out of love, but only to be rid of him. The Master meant that with perseverence much might be attained by prayer.
gpt
What! One time He says, Pray shortly, using few words; and at another time, You must not leave off praying until you are heard.
human
Friend, you misunderstand me again. Did He say, You shall pray little? No; He said, You shall pray in few words; but without ceasing, and with your whole heart, and with faith that the Father will at length hear you. And the longer He keeps you waiting for His help, the greater must be your faith that He knows why He keeps you waiting, and at last He will give you more than you asked for. If that man gave the bread in order to be rid of the annoyance, how much more will the Father give the child whom He loves?
gpt
Well, I did pray thus, I kept on and I believed, and yet I was not heard.
human
What did you pray for?
gpt
For this, said the rustic.
human
I have a neighbour who steals the figs from my tree, and I can't catch him at it. So I prayed that he might fall from the tree and break his legs. But I was not heard.
gpt
Pray for strength to pardon your neighbour and give him the figs which he seems to need more than you, and you will certainly be heard.
human
And, continued the disciple,
gpt
How can I measure the corn I have to sell by that standard?
human
If you refrain from taking advantage of the buyer with mixed, damp grain, but give him good stuff, then you are doing God's will, and are not harming your immortal soul by deceit, then your corn and your method of acting are measured by the standard of God and Eternity.
gpt
But see, exclaimed another,
human
No, He exclaimed sorrowfully,