Persist
1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged: 2 “There was a judge in one town who didn’t fear God or respect man. 3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them? 8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that [kind of] faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8 HCSB
Have you ever prayed to God, asking Him for something? Did you get the answer you expected? Often we do not. Also, when we do not get the answer we expect, we usually say something like: “Well, God must have said no!” Then, we go our way thinking to ourselves that we are expressing faith in God through that kind of attitude.
Jesus told us, in this passage, that persistent prayer is the model we should emulate. We should determine exactly what we want from God (through other passages in the Bible we know that we MUST ask in accordance with God’s Will) and then set down to ask Him for it. Every day. Every week. Every month. Year after year. Without ceasing. Never stopping.
Get the picture?
My dad prayed for the salvation of his family all of his saved life – which was about 80+ years of living as a Christian. He died not knowing for sure how God answered his prayer, but was convinced that God did. He never stopped praying. He never stopped asking God for the salvation of his family.
Get the picture?
BE PERSISTENT!! If you are going to go to the trouble of asking God for something, at least do so until He answers! After all, that was His clear direction for us!