Posted on 08/01/2021 11:46:40 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Mt 7:7-8).
Seeking and knocking indicate persistence. While we might look for something briefly and then give up if we don’t find it, seeking implies an ongoing, perhaps lengthy search. Similarly, we don’t usually knock by softly tapping a door just once and then leaving if there’s no answer; we rap sharply a few times, and if no one comes forth, we’ll usually try a few more times.
So, the Lord uses images of repetition for prayer. Indeed, the very word “repetition” comes from Latin roots denoting vigorous, repeated asking: re (again) + petere (to ask, beseech, or even to attack, go at, or strive for).
Repetition, by its nature, is often vigorous and even pestering. Jesus teaches this concept in the parable about the persistent widow.
“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, “Give me justice against my adversary.” For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, “Even though I do not fear God or respect men, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.” And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?’” (Lk 18:1-8)
This is a funny parable. In effect, though, Jesus says that we should pray and not lose heart, that we should call out to God day and night. He is teaching us to pray in such a way that we wear the Father out.
Here’s another passage in which Jesus teaches persistence:
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.” And the one inside answers, “Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs (Lk 11:5-8).’”
Ponder well this teaching and learn to persist in prayer. Pray to God in such a way as to wear Him out. Yes, pester God a bit. The Lord himself teaches us this. God is neither deaf nor grouchy, but for reasons of His own He wants us to be persistent in our prayers. There may come a time when we are able to discern that His answer to our request is no, but until that is clear, keep knocking, keep seeking; rinse and repeat. Wear God out!
Thanks. Needed this today.
On the other hand.
Matthew 6:7
New International Version
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Good post. Thx!
STORM HEAVEN !
Praying as a Christian is respectful and intelligible. Babbling like a pagan is like the irrational ramblings of a woke Democrat or liberal.
My prayers are always short and to the point. I’m always afraid they are so inadequate. I love listening to beautiful prayers but no matter how hard I try mine remain just conversational.
Yep- Vain babblings are nothing more that ‘Self Sacrifice’ (in their minds- which they mistakenly think obligates God to meet their demands- it’;s really self worship- because they think their vain ‘sacrifices’ of daily murmurings/babblings, entitles them to be considered by God- it doesn’t- God tells them so- yet still they persist
I do not believe these words legitimize “wearing out” God through prayer.
Jesus is saying that even ungodly people can be convinced to do what is right. He then says God works with us without the worry that it is ever from being “worn out.”
that’s not persistent prayer; that’s vain repetition that does NOT come from the heart. Some religions have ‘canned’ prayers that essentially mean nothing. That’s what he’s talking about
Persist in reading His Word and your prayers will deepen.
Hmmm, I’ve been reading His word for most of my 77 years.
“that’s not persistent prayer; that’s vain repetition that does NOT come from the heart. Some religions have ‘canned’ prayers that essentially mean nothing. That’s what he’s talking about”
Yep.
“pray without ceasing”
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