Luke 11:9-10 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

This passage comes from the book of Luke, which is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. It was written by Luke, who was a physician and a companion of the apostle Paul. The Gospel of Luke was written for a primarily Gentile audience and emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. This passage is part of Jesus' teaching to his disciples and the crowd on the topic of prayer.

In these verses, Jesus provides a simple yet profound formula for prayer. He uses three verbs – ask, seek, and knock – to emphasize the persistence and earnestness that should characterize a believer's approach to prayer. The message is clear: if you ask, seek, and knock with faith and consistency, God will respond.

The theme of this passage is faithfulness in prayer. Jesus is encouraging his followers to persist in their prayers, to not be discouraged or give up, but to continue to ask, seek, and knock. The promise is that if they do so, they will receive, find, and have the door opened to them.

The context of these verses is important to understand. Jesus had just finished teaching the disciples the Lord's Prayer, and then he goes on to tell a parable about persistence in prayer. He uses the example of a friend who goes to another friend at midnight to ask for bread, and even though the friend initially refuses, he eventually gives in because of the man's persistence. Jesus then makes the point that if even a reluctant friend would give what is needed because of persistence, how much more will God, who loves and cares for his children, give them what they need when they ask.

The symbolism in this passage is powerful. The verbs ask, seek, and knock are progressive and imply increasing levels of determination and effort. Asking suggests a simple request, seeking involves more effort and persistence, and knocking requires a more assertive and forceful action. This symbolizes the different ways in which believers can engage in prayer – from simple requests to earnest seeking and persistent knocking on the door of heaven's throne room.

Furthermore, the imagery of a door being opened suggests access to God's presence and provision. In the ancient world, doors were significant barriers and points of access, and in the same way, God's provision and blessings are accessed through prayer. The promise that everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened reinforces the idea that God is a generous and responsive Father.

The message of these verses is one of encouragement and assurance for believers. It teaches that God is attentive to the prayers of his children and is ready to respond to their needs. It also emphasizes the importance of persistence and faith in prayer, as well as the accessibility of God to those who seek him.

In conclusion, Luke 11:9-10 offers a powerful and comforting message about prayer. It encourages believers to approach God with confidence and persistence, knowing that their prayers will not go unanswered. The themes of faithfulness, persistence, and God's responsiveness are central to this passage, and the symbolism of asking, seeking, and knocking underscores the different ways in which believers can engage in prayer. This passage serves as a reminder of the power and effectiveness of prayer and the loving nature of God towards his children.