In the sermon "Midnight Request", Dr. Maxwell Ferguson begins by exploring the concept of shame. Drawing on examples from different cultures, he emphasizes the integral role of cultural context in understanding the Scriptures, specifically underlining the significant role of honor and shame in Eastern cultures. He recounts a tragic tale of a young girl who disgraced her family by marrying outside her religion and was killed as familial honor restoration. Transitioning to the main theme, Dr. Ferguson unpacks a parable by Jesus which follows his teachings on prayer. The sermon revisits the disciples' plea to Jesus to instruct them on prayer, an exchange that concluded with the sharing of the Lord's Prayer. Ferguson underscores the impact of our perception of God on our prayer life.

Inspiring introspection, he prompts his listeners to question their attitude toward prayer and gently guides them towards praying with conviction, confident in God's love, and intention to answer their prayers. Dr. Ferguson dives deeper into the sermon by elucidating the 'friend at midnight' parable. Drawing a cultural parallel between Middle Eastern high hospitality standards, he describes the awkward situation of a late-night request for bread by a needy man to his neighbor. Though initially denied, the neighbor handing over what he needs, spurred by societal normative pressures to avoid shame and dishonor.

This point he uses as a contrast to God's response to our prayers, clarifying that, unlike the neighbor, God's answers are borne out of love and not compulsory honor. Closing his sermon, Dr. Ferguson sequences several Bible verses that propound praying with faith in God's fidelity. He not only challenges his listeners to approach God with everything in prayer but also reassures them of His readiness to respond. The final note of the sermon was an appeal to his listeners to increase their prayer lives and grasp God's immeasurable love, appreciating God as a loving father rather than a begrudging neighbor.