Shameless Persistence

Scripture:

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 He would call out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can’t help you this time.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendships sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. (Luke 11:5-10 NLT)

This was an interesting way Jesus used in instructing His disciples after they had asked Him to teach them how to pray. It certainly made clear what He was trying to teach them. In effect, He said: “Keep on asking, keep on knocking, keep on seeking.” I’ve sometimes had trouble with this because it seemed as if I was being unbelieving if I kept on asking for something. I felt that if I asked, and then if I believed, that would take care of it. And sometimes I even question my right to be asking. Yet here, Jesus said that because of the shameless persistence it would happen. I need to be one who keeps asking, keeps knocking, and keeps seeking.

Thank You for the lessons You teach us, Lord. Help me to take this lesson of “shameless persistence” to heart today. I know that You have been so faithful to answer when I have had “shameless persistence”! I love You, and You are my strength. AMEN

I trust You, Lord, with all my heart. You help me, and my heart is filled with joy. I will give You thanks always. Psalm 28

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