Persistent Prayer

And He said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and will say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread], For a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come, and I have nothing to put before him; And he from within will answer, Do not disturb me; the door is now closed, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and supply you [with anything]? I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. Luke 11:5-10Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

What is the Lord trying to tell us in this parable? Persistent and insistent prayer is rewarding. If this man’s friend who is NOT God will get up in the middle of the night to give him what he needs because of his persistent asking….how much more will the Lover of your soul give to you?  His friend wouldn’t even open the door! He talked to him from the inside! But because of his constant asking, the door was opened for him. If you pray to the Lord with this type of adamant persistence, imagine the many doors that He will open for you.

 

The Bible tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). I know that passionate, persistent prayer is not an easy task to accomplish when your back is against the wall. It’s hard to pray when everything around you seems to be falling apart and you’re wondering, Where is God in all of this? So, what should you do when you pray and God is silent? What should you do when you pray and matters seem to get worse? What should you do when your back is against the wall and you’ve prayed your heart out morning, noon, and night…and still no change? The answer: Continue to believe God & keep praying….with shameless persistence and insistence.

 

What does it mean to pray with shameless persistence and insistence? It means going to the altar as much as you need to with no regard of what people might say about you. It means pacing the floor in prayer at 3 a.m. despite the fact that you have to get up in 2 hours. It means to be steadfastly in a posture of prayer and believing God for His help even though others may think you’re crazy. It means continually crying out to God despite of who hears or sees you. It means by faith constantly going before God in prayer despite of what your situation looks like. When was the last time you prayed this way? When was the last time you prayed so hard that the English language could no longer be uttered? Go in. We are to pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17).

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city that kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” Luke 18:1-5

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Luke 18:6-10

 

Pray, pray, pray, and keep praying. Don’t give up on God. Even when nothing makes any sense and He seems far away…allow your faith to draw you into His presence. Keep praying. He will reward your faith & your continual coming. You may be wondering, Why do I have to keep coming to God about the same things? He knows what I need already. He is increasing your faith and working out patience in you. I’ve often felt this way…as if my prayers were hitting the ceiling…but by faith I keep going before God asking for what I need. He always supplies, always. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

So, be encouraged today and know that your prayers are not in vain. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Be blessed.