Prayer for far too many of us has come to fall in one or two categories. On the one hand, there is
The "Gimme" mentality.
Many of us have a "Santa Claus god." "Here's my list, Lord. Gimme what I want." Those of us who pray after this manner usually fall for the "name it and claim it" fallacy. Oops, did I step on some toes?
Yes, there are many promises in the Bible that may give one the idea that you can "name it" and then, by faith, "claim it." For example, John 14:13-14. Here John quotes Jesus. Pretty good authority, huh? "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." (verse 13) This is followed, in verse 14, with, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." (KJV).
The only qualification in these verses is "in my name." So, we give our list and close our "prayers" with "in Jesus' name I pray, amen." Now, when do I get it? When are my prayers going to be answered?
How often are we disappointed that our "prayers in Jesus' name" are not answered?
The problem with this interpretation of this wonderful promise is within us. "In my name" means "on my authority." An "ambassador for Christ" (II Corinthians 5:20 KJV) acts on the Word and full authority of Jesus. We must be acting within His will.
We, too often, try to obligate God to give us the desires of our heart. Didn't I follow the rules just right? I said, "In Jesus' name."
The second category into which many of our prayers fall is
"Pray it and Leave it."
Didn't I bring it to the Lord? I said who/what I was praying for, didn't I? Now my part has been done. It's up to God...as in the song, "Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there."
This leads us to the teaching of Jesus on
Persistence in Praying.
In Webster's dictionary, the word persist is defined as "to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition." Persistent is defined as "continuing in spite of interferences."
How often do you pray (or intend to pray) when some type of opposition or interference blocks your efforts? The devil is quick to attempt to keep anyone from praying. The kids, the phone, the knock at the door, the headache...all are prime interferences to prayer time.
One scripture that refers to Jesus' teaching on persistence is Luke 11:5-8. Here Jesus relates the story of a man whose friend, on a long journey, stops at midnight and, per custom, expects food and lodging. In order to feed his guest, he goes to his neighbor friend, explains the circumstances and gets the bread he needs. Jesus said, regarding the neighbor friend, that he did not help his friend because they were friends, but, rather for his importunity.
The word importunity is defined as "overly persistent." In other words, the man received the help he needed because he kept on knocking. He was "overly persistent" in the attempt to get food for his guest.
When we pray, Jesus is saying, it must be overly persistent. Ask, seek, knock...and keep at it until the answer comes. We are not just to ask and wait until we get a reply.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." (KJV). Aren't you glad that He keeps on knocking?
I'm grateful that, in Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42, Mark 14:32-39), Jesus persisted in praying, "not my will, but thine be done," even though the answer to His prayer meant His death for you and me.
That's Persistence!!
Another lesson in persistence is found in Jesus' parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. In the first verse, Luke gave the purpose of the parable Jesus told. "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (KJV). The lesson of the parable is persistence in prayer.
Many have interpreted the parable so that God is the judge and that must be incorrect. Jesus said of the judge that he did not fear God, nor have regard for man. The judge was only interested in himself and his convenience. Therefore, he only granted the widow's plea in order to not be troubled by her persistence.
I have heard of many a Mother's prayers for a child to come to the Lord. Nothing would keep her from praying daily for the salvation of her son or daughter. Quietly, being "overly persistent." Not nagging, just persisting. Not giving up in spite of opposition or interferences.
Can you imagine the joy she has when her prayer is answered?
Can you imagine the joy and celebration in heaven over that sinner that repents? (Luke 15:10)
Persistence in Prayer pays big dividends!!
Do you have such an experience in your prayer life? Share it in the comment section below.
Christian's share in order to help others. Your comments are appreciated.
The "Gimme" mentality.
Many of us have a "Santa Claus god." "Here's my list, Lord. Gimme what I want." Those of us who pray after this manner usually fall for the "name it and claim it" fallacy. Oops, did I step on some toes?
Yes, there are many promises in the Bible that may give one the idea that you can "name it" and then, by faith, "claim it." For example, John 14:13-14. Here John quotes Jesus. Pretty good authority, huh? "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." (verse 13) This is followed, in verse 14, with, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." (KJV).
The only qualification in these verses is "in my name." So, we give our list and close our "prayers" with "in Jesus' name I pray, amen." Now, when do I get it? When are my prayers going to be answered?
How often are we disappointed that our "prayers in Jesus' name" are not answered?
The problem with this interpretation of this wonderful promise is within us. "In my name" means "on my authority." An "ambassador for Christ" (II Corinthians 5:20 KJV) acts on the Word and full authority of Jesus. We must be acting within His will.
We, too often, try to obligate God to give us the desires of our heart. Didn't I follow the rules just right? I said, "In Jesus' name."
The second category into which many of our prayers fall is
"Pray it and Leave it."
Didn't I bring it to the Lord? I said who/what I was praying for, didn't I? Now my part has been done. It's up to God...as in the song, "Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there."
This leads us to the teaching of Jesus on
Persistence in Praying.
In Webster's dictionary, the word persist is defined as "to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition." Persistent is defined as "continuing in spite of interferences."
How often do you pray (or intend to pray) when some type of opposition or interference blocks your efforts? The devil is quick to attempt to keep anyone from praying. The kids, the phone, the knock at the door, the headache...all are prime interferences to prayer time.
One scripture that refers to Jesus' teaching on persistence is Luke 11:5-8. Here Jesus relates the story of a man whose friend, on a long journey, stops at midnight and, per custom, expects food and lodging. In order to feed his guest, he goes to his neighbor friend, explains the circumstances and gets the bread he needs. Jesus said, regarding the neighbor friend, that he did not help his friend because they were friends, but, rather for his importunity.
The word importunity is defined as "overly persistent." In other words, the man received the help he needed because he kept on knocking. He was "overly persistent" in the attempt to get food for his guest.
When we pray, Jesus is saying, it must be overly persistent. Ask, seek, knock...and keep at it until the answer comes. We are not just to ask and wait until we get a reply.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." (KJV). Aren't you glad that He keeps on knocking?
I'm grateful that, in Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42, Mark 14:32-39), Jesus persisted in praying, "not my will, but thine be done," even though the answer to His prayer meant His death for you and me.
That's Persistence!!
Another lesson in persistence is found in Jesus' parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. In the first verse, Luke gave the purpose of the parable Jesus told. "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (KJV). The lesson of the parable is persistence in prayer.
Many have interpreted the parable so that God is the judge and that must be incorrect. Jesus said of the judge that he did not fear God, nor have regard for man. The judge was only interested in himself and his convenience. Therefore, he only granted the widow's plea in order to not be troubled by her persistence.
I have heard of many a Mother's prayers for a child to come to the Lord. Nothing would keep her from praying daily for the salvation of her son or daughter. Quietly, being "overly persistent." Not nagging, just persisting. Not giving up in spite of opposition or interferences.
Can you imagine the joy she has when her prayer is answered?
Can you imagine the joy and celebration in heaven over that sinner that repents? (Luke 15:10)
Persistence in Prayer pays big dividends!!
Do you have such an experience in your prayer life? Share it in the comment section below.
Christian's share in order to help others. Your comments are appreciated.
