This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Rooted – Grounded in Prayer (CLICK HERE)
“Mom, can we go to the park today?”
“No, son, I am busy today.”
“Mom, can we go to the park today?”
“No, son, I told you I am busy today.”
“But mom, you promised yesterday that we would go today.”
“Hmm. You’re right son. I will finish my work and then we can go.”
Jesus put it this way:
Luke 11:5-13 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’
7 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Pray persistently.
Praying persistently isn’t whining or babbling, but asking with firm confidence in a) the ability of the Lord to provide and b) in line with what the Lord has promised.
When we persist in prayer we don’t give up because we know that the answer is to come. We know with confidence that the Lord knows how to give what is best. We don’t give up because the Lord has promised that as we ask, he will answer. He desires that we ask and then trust that he will give as he determines what is best for his children.
If he says, “No”? It’s hard to take, but its the best answer. In fact, you may still persist in praying because the seeming “No.” today might simply be a “not yet.”
Persistence comes when I know God’s promises and his ability to provide what is best. Even though my prayer may not be answered in the way I prefer, I know that if I ask, I will receive what he knows is best for me.
Martin Luther wrote in “On Rogationtide Prayer and Procession” (1519) he admonished: [Y]our trust must not set a goal for God, not set a time and place, not specify the way or the means of his fulfilment, but it must entrust all of that to his will, wisdom, and omnipotence. Just wait cheerfully and undauntedly for the fulfilment without wanting to know how and where, how soon, how late, or by what means. His divine wisdom will find an immeasurably better way and method, time and place, then we can imagine.*
Don’t give up.
Keep praying
Pray persistently!
Apply: Do you give up too soon? Or simply don’t ask at all? Persist in prayer with a confidence that the Lord will hear and answer what is best for you.
Prayer: Father, thank you for hearing my prayers and answering according to your promises and your divine will. AMEN.
- Practical Advice on Prayer from Martin Luther by MARY JANE HAEMIG https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/35-1_Prayer/Practical%20Advice%20on%20Prayer%20from%20Martin%20Luther.pdf