That these “good things” are of a spiritual order, meant to transform our characters and minds — and not, for instance, requests for material acquisitions — is suggested by how Luke translates the same statement in his version. Matthew has “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”; Luke has “how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, emphasis mine). For Luke, all good things come by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit (literally, “Holy Breath”) of God. Prayer, then, is for acquiring what helps us
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