It was supposed to be one of those in-and-out trips to the store—all I needed was laundry detergent. But then my daughter spotted some playthings for sale. She begged, “Can we look at the toys?” I responded with, “Maybe.” Then, she used a negotiation tactic popular with children—shameless persistence. “Mom, pleeeeease?” She kept up the requests until we finally ended up knee-deep in baby dolls and books.
Spiritually speaking, God doesn’t mind persistence in His children. The Bible encourages us to always “pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1). In fact, Jesus told a story about a widow who badgered a judge with repeated requests for justice (Luke 18:3). The judge had a bad reputation, and yet he thought: “I’m going to see that [this woman] gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests” (Luke 18:5). Even the crooked judge handed down “a just decision in the end” (Luke 18:7).
Since God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11), Jesus assured us that “God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night” (Luke 18:7). Besides justice, God also gives “good gifts” and the Holy Spirit’s help to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13).
Are you struggling to ask and knock with the fervor of the persistent widow? Maybe you’ve prayed about something, but then gave up and tried to fix the issue yourself. If so, remember that God is able to “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
Going back to God again and again puts the outcome in His hands. And it allows us to say, “Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 10:1-16
More:
Read Deuteronomy 10:10 to see how God answered Moses’ persistent intercessory prayers.
Next:
What’s the difference between vain repetition in prayer (Matthew 6:7) and “shameless persistence”? (Luke 11:8). What do you need to pray about today?
tom felten on August 23, 2013 at 9:08 am
So true, Jen. Oswald Chambers once noted that prayer is often much more about changing us than changing our circumstances. Part of the great things that happen when we pray is that we can grow in our understanding and insight of what God wants us to do. Being persistent in prayer can truly lead to a new and sanctified perspective!
jennifer benson schuldt on August 23, 2013 at 10:17 am
Tom,
This is so true. I find that when I pray about a concern or problem, I remember that I’m not in charge. 🙂 Taking a request to God is an admission that we aren’t able to handle the issue ourselves–it can be humbling.
David’s prayer in Psalm 86:1-13 is a beautiful example of supplication mingled with praise!
mike wittmer on August 23, 2013 at 9:19 am
This is an encouragement we all need at one time or another. I am comforted that Jesus didn’t explain why God doesn’t grant our every request, but he tells us to speak up and tell him when the bread we asked for tastes like a stone. We can unload our frustration on Him, He can take it.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 23, 2013 at 10:24 am
Mike,
Your comment made me think of Job. He certainly is “unloading” in this passage: Job 6:1-13. His words reflect the depths of his misery, and yet at the end of the book, we see Job come to know (and fear) God more deeply: Job 42:5-6. Truly, we serve an awe-inspiring God!
winn collier on August 27, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Simply asking. Good word.