Today’s Key Scripture

“Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’ The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’”

— Luke 11:5-7,

 

Immediately after the Master told us how to pray, He shared the parable about persistence in Luke 11. Jesus concluded the story by making this point: “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need” (Luke 11:8, MSG).

The man received the bread because he wouldn’t give up. He exercised resolve, tenacity and persistence, and that brought the results he was seeking.

Being persistent in the area of personal or intercessory prayer is vital. The wonderful Bible teacher Andrew Murray said it this way:

The blessing of such persevering prayer is unspeakable. There is nothing so heart-searching as the prayer of faith. It teaches you to discover and confess, and to give up everything that hinders the coming of the blessing, everything there may not be in accordance with the Father’s will. It leads to closer fellowship with Him who alone can teach us to pray, to a more entire surrender…. It calls for a closer and more simple abiding in Christ alone. Christian, give God time. He will perfect that which concerns you.

We must keep asking until the answer is received.

 

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, help me to be persistent, even as I abide in Your presence. I long to be a vessel of service and honor for You. I want more of You. I yearn to be useful, even as I seek victory in every area of my life. I long to see Your answers to my requests. That’s why I choose You today—Your plan, Your holiness, and Your guidance. Reveal the areas in my life that are not surrendered to You, and give me balance as I walk with You. I humbly pray all these things in Jesus’ precious name, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.