Read Luke 11:5-10
Jesus gave his disciples an example of prayer that might seem strange to us, but not to the people of Jesus’ day. They knew people just like the ones in Jesus’ story and may have had similar experiences themselves. Jesus used this familiar scenario to teach them an important lesson on their attitude regarding prayer. [To help us understand this lesson, let’s call the men involved Bob and Joe.]
Company had just arrived at Bob’s house. They arrived late and hungry – very hungry! Dinner was hours ago. And there was no food in the house. People didn’t have refrigerators or Ziploc bags. There wasn’t any 24-hour diners or convenience stores. They shopped daily and cooked just what they needed for that day. The fact that his friend Joe had extra bread was what was unusual, and that is why Bob went to that particular friend. He knew Joe was able to provide what he needed.
Joe’s house was very dark. The oil lamp had been put out long ago and the family was deep asleep. Bob knocked any ways and called out to his friend. Joe recognized Bob’s voice. They were friends. Joe wasn’t refusing to give him the bread. Now just wasn’t convenient. “The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed.” No big deal, right? Get up and unlock the door. But it was a big deal. Most families lived in one-room houses. It was an all purpose room: kitchen and living area during the day, and at night they rolled out the mats and it became the bedroom. Depending on the number of children, it could be wall-to-wall people.
Bob didn’t give up. He could have gone back to his company and said, “Oh well, I tried, sorry. Guess you will have to wait until breakfast.” But he kept asking, he kept seeking a solution to their need; he kept knocking. He stood there in the cold, dark night calling out to Joe and knocking on his door because he knew his guests were important, as was their need. Joe answered because Bob was important to him. Bob’s persistency proved how important this need was to Bob, and since it was important to Bob it was important to Joe. Because Bob was persistent, Joe got up, disturbed his family, relit the oil lamp, found the bread and gave it to his friend.
Hebrews 4:16 tells us to come with confidence to the One who can meet our needs. When we recognize that we have a need that only God can meet, it shows up in our persistency. We don’t give up. We don’t find alternative solutions. We keep asking, seeking, and knocking. Persistency proves to us just how important the need truly is, the one who has the need and how dependent we are on God to meet it. When we truly grasp these things, we are willing to wait for God’s timing, God’s way and God’s perfect provision.
Making It Personal
Persistency in prayers is 1% perspiration: the repetitive effort of asking, and 99% inspiration: the motivation and reason why you ask.
What is on your prayer list this morning?
How important is the need?
How important is the one with the need?
How convinced are you that God alone has/is the answer to this need?
What gives you the right to ask?
How you answer the above questions will determine your confidence, fervency and persistency in prayer. It will also magnify your gratitude when God answers.
