SEPTEMBER 8
Welcome back!
Today, we are going to talk about a very important character trait in prayer: persistence!
When I think of persistence, I think about my kids. My three kids love to bombard me with requests. I guess it’s kind of the nature of being a parent.
Last week, I asked one of the kids to go with me to pick up takeout. In our family, we customize takeout orders, which means that we often go to multiple places to pick up food.
On this particular occasion, we ended sitting at our second stop for about 20 minutes while we waited for our food. As my patience was growing thin with my favorite Thai food joint, my patience was also growing thin with my son. I counted about 20 things he asked for in a period of 30 minutes. Eventually I gave in and found myself watching some very childish Youtube memes with my 13-year-old son.
He was persistent!
Jesus gave us some very clear images of what it means to pray specifically and persistently!
Luke 11:5-10 (NLT): “Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: ‘Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
I just imagine someone knocking on a door over and over and over and over again. I wonder if there is something in your life that you’ve asked God for a few times, but eventually you just gave up. Keep in mind this is Jesus teaching us HOW to pray. He gives us insight into how The Father works. He wants you to persist through prayer.
Dutch Sheets in his great book Intercessory Prayer says, “A lack of endurance is one of the greatest causes of defeat, especially in prayer. We don’t wait well.”
There are times when you feel through, and God wants you to pray through!
Where do you need to pray through today?
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas where we need to pray through! Go ahead and invite Him to help you right now.
You might pray something like this:
“Lord, I ask that you would help me persist. Sometimes my will is so weak, but you can strengthen me. Help me to pray like the door-knocker. Help me to not give up.
Lord Jesus, I submit my desires to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
Now, as He reveals those things to you, go ahead and pray on them…
Maybe it’s a job situation, a family situation, or a friend who needs to know the love of Jesus. As you are praying through the day, ask The Holy Spirit to bring to mind someone you can invite to church online this Sunday. (And here are some practical tips to actually do it!)
See you back tomorrow!
With love,
Pastor Andy
Comment below with your prayers, reflections, and whatever is on your heart as we pray together today.
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I’ve been praying for years for my dad to come around. Today I’m praying again for his salvation and for his heart to soften – for Jesus to come encounter him personally and powerfully ???
Preach brother! “keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” I really like this and reminds me of the phrase: when one door closes, another one opens. I do believe God has closed a door for me recently so that he can open a much bigger door for my life’s mission to build his kingdom. There’s a lot of unrest in this country right now and people are standing up for their human rights by being persistent as they do believe in a better tomorrow. In all the chaos is art and beauty. I’ve been walking around this amazing city the past few days taking pictures of all the murals that have been painted around the city center. It depicts that the movement is much bigger than the violence you see portrayed in the news. It is not about violence but a fight for equality and dignity.
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Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.