Luke 11:5-10 - The Persistence of Prayer

The Lord is responding to the disciple’s question to teachthem to pray. Jesus first gives them a lesson on the pattern of prayer andbegins it with the words, “Our Father”. One for the first things we shouldlearn about prayer is that it is based on our relationship with God. We havethe privilege and honor of prayer because we are sons and daughters in Hisfamily by being “born again” through salvation in Jesus Christ. We should alwayspicture prayer as children coming to a loving, giving, and kind father who delightsin our dependance upon him.  In Luke 11:5-10, it is like the Lord is now taking Hisdisciples up several grades, from elementary and middle school to high school. Hedoes this by telling the story of some friends. In this lesson, the Lord isteaching the disciples, and us, that not only do we have a relationship withGod as “Our Father”, but that we can also picture God as our friend who caresabout us. And in His story of these three friends, He is teaching the disciplesand us the importance of persistence in prayer. In this story, Jesus did not say that God is like thisgrouchy neighbor. In fact, He said just the opposite. If a tired and selfishneighbor finally meets the needs of a bothersome friend, how much more will aloving Heavenly Father meet the needs of His own dear children! He is arguingfrom the lesser to the greater. If we intend to do much through prayer we musthave some endurance. We must persist in our praying, never quit, be steadfastregardless of circumstances. If we quit after praying once because nothinghappened, we will never experience answers to our prayers like we should. There are three friends in this story. There is a friendwho is on a journey. There is a friend who is without bread for this friend whois on a journey. Then there is a friend who has plenty of bread but is at home asleepwith his family. How do you know someone is a true friend? You can tell by theirattitude and actions toward you that they genuinely care about you and theneeds you might have in your life or family.  The argument in this story is clear: If persistence finallypaid off as a man beat on the door of a reluctant friend, how much more wouldpersistence bring blessing as we pray to a loving Heavenly Father! After all,we are the children in the house with Him! The word translated “persistence”, ("importunity"in OKJ), means "shamelessness" or "avoidance of shame." Itcan refer to the man at the door who was not ashamed to wake up his friend, butit can also refer to the friend in the house. Hospitality to friends and even tostrangers is a basic law in the East (Gen. 18). If a person refused toentertain a guest, it could bring disgrace on the whole village. The man in thehouse knew this and did not want to embarrass himself, his family, or hisvillage; so he got up and met the need on the friend on a journey. And so didthe friend who had plenty of bread! Why does our Father in heaven answer prayer? Not just tomeet the needs of His children, but to meet them in such a way that it bringsglory to His name. "Hallowed be Thy name." When God's peoplepray, God's reputation is at stake. The way He takes care of His children is awitness to the world that He can be trusted. Phillips Brooks said that prayeris not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness.Persistence in prayer is not an attempt to change God's mind ("Thy will bedone") but to get ourselves to the place where He can trust us with theanswer. God’s first no does not always mean it is His final no. It might mean “wait”.We will study more about this tomorrow.  Today, we need to learn that God is not only our Father,but He is our friend, who has “plenty of bread” for our every need and we shouldnever give up on approaching Him with our request! God bless!