persist in prayer
“He will do so because of his persistence.” —Luke 11:8
Today’s Gospel is God’s encouragement, and even His command, to be persistent. Jesus teaches us: “I tell you, even though he does not get up and take care of the man because of friendship, he will do so because of his persistence” (Lk 11:8).
Do you parents remember when your children were infants, and then toddlers? Is there anything more persistent than a baby who wants to nurse? As parents, we woke up at midnight to nurse, change, feed, and hold them. Most of the time it was out of love, but sometimes, as today’s parable says, it was not out of friendship, but only because of the child’s persistence, which wore us down.
Our intercessory prayers and petitions are to be persistent, but not for the purpose of breaking down God so we get what we request. God is never worn down. He loves us so deeply. It is He Who tells us to ask, seek, knock (Mt 7:7). God is the One Who is persistent in loving us. He is the Parent we tried to be with our children. So in trust and obedience, we persist in intercessory prayer. God is far from being weary of our prayer. He is more concerned with our faith, and that we would lose hope and stop praying. Therefore, continue to ask, knock, seek, and persist, despite what seems to be no answer from the Lord. Never lose faith in God’s desire to hear and answer our prayer (see Mt 6:6).
Prayer: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1).
Promise: “If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” —Lk 11:13
Praise: Albert prayed for years that his grandmother would come back into the Church. She came back on her deathbed.
Reference: Albert prayed for years that his grandmother would come back into the Church. She came back on her deathbed.
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