PERSISTENCE

Luke 11:8b says, "He will get up and give you as much as you need, simply because you are not ashamed to keep on asking."


"Jesus told a parable regarding someone who persistently asked for bread at an inopportune time, and the persistence finally paid off.  The person got the bread.  Prayer is like that.  We must be persistent but always remembering that God will not like us to be insistent!  We must always desire God's will.


"Years ago, a cousin by marriage came to visit us in Arizona.  I invited him to a bible Study one evening where we went around the table after the study asking for prayer requests.  This cousin was amazed and incensed that we would ask for those "petty things" of God." I just answered, "Our God desires us to ask for what we need."


"I must not be ashamed to ask God All-Powerful for things I need, whether it's for me, a friend or for a stranger.  God desires this of me and is glad that I love others enough to have compassion.  I must not be fearful of God disliking my prayers, with the result of being unable to come to God, either being embarrassed or ashamed.  Nor must I be rude, but persistent and honest, and humbly pray in earnest.


"God, help me to teach the state of earnestness, fervor, and persistence in all of my prayers.  Amen."


And, God, give to those who are reading this the gift of joy in prayer and may they find the Holy Spirit by their sides.  Amen.


Jo INMN