“Persistent Prayer”

Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)

This is a parable of contrast not comparison!

Our heavenly Father is not like the unjust judge.

Parable of the Persistent Friend

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.  Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)

This is another parable of contrast not comparison!

Our Heavenly Father is never reluctant to meet the needs of His children.

Jesus’ Admonition to Ask, Seek, and Knock

So, I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.  Luke 11:9-10 (AMP)

The Father’s Desire to Give Good Gifts to His Children:

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake?  If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.  Matthew 7:9-11 (AMP)
(This is the parallel passage to Luke 11:11-13)

* ASK AND KEEP ON ASKING!
* SEEK AND KEEP ON SEEKING!
* KNOCK AND KEEP ON KNOCKING!

What amazing answers to prayer have you seen due to persistence?

What seemingly “impossible” prayer requests can we bring to the Father today?

“…With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 9:26

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”  Luke 1:37

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh.  Is there anything too hard for me?”  Jeremiah 32:27

Bible passages from Amplified Version and New King James Version