Today’s Scripture: I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. Luke 11:8 KJV
This is not shock therapy. This is Jesus’ instruction to us. WHEN we pray, God teaches us and gives to us “as we needeth.”
God literally knocked me out of my chair this morning. Knocked to my knees because I wanted to show Him how thankful I am to Him for His teaching.
In Luke 11, Jesus not only teaches His disciples to pray but doesn’t even end His prayer with an amen before teaching them more. He teaches them in terms they will understand. He answered their question of how to pray with “WHEN (emphasis mine) you pray” and then told them a story that because of “importunity” we can get what we need.
In looking up importunate in the dictionary I found “urgent or persistent solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so”. That’s it; Jesus is telling me to annoy God with my persistence of going to Him.
There is more to this story. Do you annoy God?
Today’s Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us. Thank You for the stories of Jesus. Thank You for revealing Your teachings through Your Holy Spirit. I praise You Father and I am thankful for Your persistence in loving me and I pray to be persistent in prayer and persistent in sharing Your glory. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Love it–annoy God with my prayers!
Thanks Julie, we are instructed to be persistent, annoyingly so! He is so faithful to teach us when we go to Him. He overwhelms me and I wonder why I get so surprised!! I wish I could relay how he does this…I have to write this one down. He is so faithful! Blessings and persistence.
Tom,
Boy did i need to hear this today. And i am blown away with what you have highlighted here. This idea that we should be pestering God even for the things we NEED. Wow there is a lot in this verse. Thanks so much for highlighting these wonderful red letters today.
Ben
Thank you Ben, from a guy that lives in the red letters, I am honored yet KNOW to God be the Glory for his faithfulness to impart His wisdom and His lessons in black and white:) Blessings as you go.
Wonderful words for me today, Tom!
Wow Meg, you bless me today letting me know you are still tuned in from time to time. Your words are wonderful for me today. Blessings as you continually go to Him!
I am thankful for the Lord’s patience with me. If it were not so I know I would be annoying to God. Just this morning I was praying and asking Him for the hundredth time for a particular change of attitude that I have been seeking Him for for some months. God brought me up short and said “It’s time for an inventory. When was the last time you struggled with that attitude?” I had to think back quite a long ways to think about the last time I had stumbled in this particular attitudinal sin.
God said, “You are healed you can stop asking!”
Sometimes I get so caught up in askling I forget to look for the answer; But I guess that’s another issue isn’t it? 🙂
What a GREAT testimony Joseph!! Yes, that is a whole other issue:) I am praying we move boldly forward knowing He has heard our prayers. We will keep on asking for direction yet when He gives it let us go. Blessings and action.
Amen Tom. I see a great need for the armies of the Lord to be ready to move forward in the days ahead!
Amen Joseph. Preparing and available. Praying to be obedient. Blessings and preparation.
How I love this!!! I so often just stop praying over a certain issue, thinking God must be tired of hearing my plea…I will press in and keep praying
Thank you Robin, press on my sister and consider by brother Joseph’s response as well:) Blessings and love!
I am LOVING this!!
SWEET Mirada! Welcome. Blessings and LOVE!