Wuest on persevering prayer

Source: Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament – Volume 3.

"THE GREEK language can say more in one word through the grammatical rules that pertain to it, than the English language can in half a dozen words. In the imperative mode, the Greek tenses are very definite in their distinctions. We have the imperative mode in the exhortations in Matthew 7:7-8 (Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.") as well as the indicative mode, both used in the present tense, the former always speaking of continuous action, the latter usually, as the context allows it. We have the word "knock" in verse 7. There are two words for "knock" in Greek, one which refers to an unceremonious pounding, the other to a polite knock. The latter is used here.
Thus we have the translation: "Keep on asking, and it shall be given you: keep on seeking and ye shall find, keep on reverently knocking, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that keeps on asking, keeps on receiving; and he that keeps on seeking, keeps on finding, and to him that keeps on reverently knocking, it shall be opened."
The lessons we learn from this fuller translation are as follows: First we learn that the Scriptures teach that if we do not receive answers to prayers at once, we should persevere in prayer until we do, or until God shows us that the petition is not according to His will. Second, we are taught that in the case of some prayers, it takes God time to answer the petition. It takes God time to grow a beautiful rose. Likewise, it takes Him time to bring the granite-like heart of a sinner to bow in submissive faith to the Lord Jesus. Third, this text teaches that while we keep on praying, God keeps on working in our behalf. Many a meagre Christian experience is due to a meagre prayer life. Fourth, we learn that we have no right to demand of God that He answer our prayer, but we may keep on reverently knocking with the hand of faith. Perhaps this brief study may be the means of solving some of our problems relating to the prayer life."