We've all been there. A deep longing in our heart, a situation that feels desperate, a need that weighs heavily on our minds. We turn to God in prayer, perhaps tentatively, perhaps pouring out our hearts. But what happens when the answer doesn't come immediately? What happens when doubt creeps in, or we feel hesitant to ask for something "big"?
The Bible doesn't just invite us to pray; it encourages a specific kind of prayer – one marked by persistence and boldness. This isn't about demanding things from God like a cosmic vending machine, but about engaging in a relationship with a loving Father who delights in hearing from His children and responding according to His perfect wisdom and love.
The Call to Persistence: Don't Give Up!
Jesus Himself taught us about the importance of persistence in prayer.
Luke 18:1-8 NIV [1] Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [2] He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. [3] And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ [4] “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” [6] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Jesus isn't comparing God to the unjust judge in character, but highlighting the result of persistence. If even an unwilling, uncaring judge responds to relentless petitioning, how much more will our loving, just Heavenly Father respond to the cries of His beloved children? Persistence demonstrates our earnestness, our dependence on God, and our faith that He hears us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (emphasis mine)
Another powerful example is the friend at midnight, who gets the bread he needs not because of friendship initially, but because of his "shameless audacity" or persistence.
Luke 11:5-9 NIV [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ [7] And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. [9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (emphasis mine)
Approach with Confidence!
Alongside persistence, we are invited to approach God with boldness. This isn't arrogance, but it's confidence rooted in who God is and what Christ has done for us.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV [14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (emphasis mine)
We can be bold because we are approaching a throne of grace, not condemnation. Through Jesus, we have direct access to the Father.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Boldness means asking specifically, believing God is able and willing, and trusting His character even when we don't understand His timing or methods, understanding that our faith is in God and His sovereign will.
Faithfulness Over Formulas!
Here’s the reality. Persistence and boldness are not magic formulas guaranteeing we get exactly what we want, when we want it. Faith is a continuous process, requiring regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. Maintaining a strong foundation involves aligning our priorities, and our prayers with God's will.
Persistence shapes us. Continuously bringing our requests to God often clarifies our own desires and aligns them more closely with His purposes. It builds endurance and deepens our reliance on Him.
Boldness trusts God. Bold prayer trusts God's goodness even if the answer is "no" or "wait." It acknowledges His sovereignty and wisdom are greater than our own understanding.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV [8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God's will is key. Our boldest requests should always be tempered with "Your will be done". We ask persistently and confidently, trusting that our Father knows best and will answer in the way that ultimately brings Him glory and accomplishes His good purposes.
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV [9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Sometimes the answer is a clear "yes." Sometimes it's a "no" that protects us or redirects us. Sometimes it's a "wait" that develops patience and deeper faith. Persistent, bold prayer engages us in a conversion with God, that strengthens our relationship with Him regardless of the specific outcome.
Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking!
So, don't be discouraged if answers seem slow in coming. Don't hesitate to bring your biggest needs and dreams before God. He invites you to come persistently, like the widow. He encourages you to approach boldly, like a child coming confidently to their loving Father.
Embrace the importance and the reality of persistent, bold prayer. Let it be a vital part of your ongoing journey of faith, trusting that as you continually seek His face and align your heart with His will, He hears, He cares, and He will answer in His perfect way and time.
The Bible doesn't just invite us to pray; it encourages a specific kind of prayer – one marked by persistence and boldness. This isn't about demanding things from God like a cosmic vending machine, but about engaging in a relationship with a loving Father who delights in hearing from His children and responding according to His perfect wisdom and love.
The Call to Persistence: Don't Give Up!
Jesus Himself taught us about the importance of persistence in prayer.
Luke 18:1-8 NIV [1] Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [2] He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. [3] And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ [4] “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” [6] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Jesus isn't comparing God to the unjust judge in character, but highlighting the result of persistence. If even an unwilling, uncaring judge responds to relentless petitioning, how much more will our loving, just Heavenly Father respond to the cries of His beloved children? Persistence demonstrates our earnestness, our dependence on God, and our faith that He hears us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (emphasis mine)
Another powerful example is the friend at midnight, who gets the bread he needs not because of friendship initially, but because of his "shameless audacity" or persistence.
Luke 11:5-9 NIV [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ [7] And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. [9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (emphasis mine)
Approach with Confidence!
Alongside persistence, we are invited to approach God with boldness. This isn't arrogance, but it's confidence rooted in who God is and what Christ has done for us.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV [14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (emphasis mine)
We can be bold because we are approaching a throne of grace, not condemnation. Through Jesus, we have direct access to the Father.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Boldness means asking specifically, believing God is able and willing, and trusting His character even when we don't understand His timing or methods, understanding that our faith is in God and His sovereign will.
Faithfulness Over Formulas!
Here’s the reality. Persistence and boldness are not magic formulas guaranteeing we get exactly what we want, when we want it. Faith is a continuous process, requiring regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. Maintaining a strong foundation involves aligning our priorities, and our prayers with God's will.
Persistence shapes us. Continuously bringing our requests to God often clarifies our own desires and aligns them more closely with His purposes. It builds endurance and deepens our reliance on Him.
Boldness trusts God. Bold prayer trusts God's goodness even if the answer is "no" or "wait." It acknowledges His sovereignty and wisdom are greater than our own understanding.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV [8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God's will is key. Our boldest requests should always be tempered with "Your will be done". We ask persistently and confidently, trusting that our Father knows best and will answer in the way that ultimately brings Him glory and accomplishes His good purposes.
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV [9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Sometimes the answer is a clear "yes." Sometimes it's a "no" that protects us or redirects us. Sometimes it's a "wait" that develops patience and deeper faith. Persistent, bold prayer engages us in a conversion with God, that strengthens our relationship with Him regardless of the specific outcome.
Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking!
So, don't be discouraged if answers seem slow in coming. Don't hesitate to bring your biggest needs and dreams before God. He invites you to come persistently, like the widow. He encourages you to approach boldly, like a child coming confidently to their loving Father.
Embrace the importance and the reality of persistent, bold prayer. Let it be a vital part of your ongoing journey of faith, trusting that as you continually seek His face and align your heart with His will, He hears, He cares, and He will answer in His perfect way and time.
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