“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:9-13 (NLT)
In Luke 18, Jesus tells of the parable of the widow and unjust judge. She is having a dispute with someone. She keeps coming to the unjust judge asking him to intervene. She is not seeking favoritism but is seeking justice. Day after day, she asks the judge for justice. Finally, he says to himself, “I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!” (Luke 18:4-5).
When we pray for something, we need to keep asking. God sometimes answers with a no, sometimes a not right now and sometimes a yes. But we can keep asking because God always answers us. Our persistence builds faith within us to keep on seeking and asking.
Take Action: Look back at the promises God has given you. Pick one (or a few) and start praying about it persistently.