Persistence in Prayer

Shameless persistence.

In teaching His disciples on prayer, Jesus used these words to describe how we should pray.

In conversation with a friend the other day regarding prayer, they said in exasperation, “I ask and hear and nothing.”

I get it. The waiting at times may feel excruciating, especially when God “feels” silent. You’ve been praying and praying and the situation doesn’t seem to have changed. It may get to the point of honestly asking, “Does God even hear my prayers?” or greater still, “Does God even care?” I’ve been there. And there’s still things I’ve been relentlessly laying before the throne for what seems like forever, with no change.

But that’s not stopping me. I was just telling a friend yesterday, ‘I feel like the persistent widow. It’s me again God. I’m still here. I’m still asking, I’m still seeking, I’m still knocking…because I know You hear me and I trust You above what I can see.”

Do you know that parable? You can find it in Luke 18:1-8. It’s the story of a woman who continually went before a judge asking for justice. The text says the judge said to himself, “I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests.”

Jesus told his disciples they can learn from this unjust judge because even he gave justice in the end. If this judge would give justice, wouldn’t God surely answer His own people that “cry out to him day and night?” Then Jesus leaves them with a question, “When the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?”

Does that question hit you? Are you among the faithful?

Friends, faith is persistence. Faith is believing in what we cannot see.

I was turning in my Bible to find this parable but came across another in Luke 11 where Jesus was also speaking on prayer. Have a look.

“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:1-10)

Both parables say the same thing. Be persistent. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. In other words, pray and have faith. Don’t pray once and give up. It could be days, months, even years - but keep at it.

I found all of Psalm 34 encouraging to my heart today, but particularly the following verses,

“I prayed to the Lord, AND He answered me. Those who look to Him for help WILL BE radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (34:4-5)

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord LISTENED; He saved me from ALL my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. (34:6-7)

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help. (34:15)

The Lord HEARS His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from ALL their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (34:17-18)

The righteous person faces many troubles, BUT the Lord comes to the rescue EACH TIME.” (34:19)

Friends, rest assured - the Lord hears the prayers of His people. He listens, He cares, and He responds. Though we will assuredly face troubles, we are not alone in them. He guards us, surrounds us, defends us, and rescues us. It’s a promise.

So “let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)