Importunity

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'" (Luke 18:1-8)

Persevering in prayer is hard.

As we've had several needs and concerns around us lately--some urgent, others not so much--I've become very aware of my own tendency to pray persistently about a particular issue for several days, maybe even a few weeks, and then to slowly drop off until before I know it, I'm seldom bringing it before God at all.

Sometimes it's because I start to doubt God's goodness and think maybe he doesn't care anymore, as if the One who sent his own Son into our world to die in my place and grant me his righteousness won't also graciously give me all other things that I need.

Sometimes it's because I start to doubt God's power, as if the One who created worlds with a word and breathes new life into bodies so dead they're decomposing can't possibly do anything about this difficult situation.

Other times, it's because I assume that today's "not yet" is tomorrow's "no", so I'd best just not bother God with this request anymore. After all, when my kids ask me for somthing over and over again till the cows come home, it makes me want to scream. Of course, sometimes that also makes me like the unrighteous judge who wants to give them what they want just to get them off my back. And if God is so much more merciful than that, why should I think he'll hold me off forever? In fact, if Jesus himself commands persistence in prayer, then any doubts I might have about whether God would rather I just shut it must be stilled.

And yes, sometimes it's just because I get bored. I get tired of asking again and again and again. And if I've already believed any of those other lies, even in the slightest, my resolve to press on gets very weak.

Jesus didn't tell his disciples to keep knocking and knocking and knocking on his Father's door because it was the natural and easy response. He told them never to give up because our tendency is so often precisely the opposite. But persistence comes with a promise. God does hear, he does care, he has all power, and he will give justice speedily.

"You have many other weapons to use with God in prayer, but our Saviour bids you not neglect this master, all-conquering instrument of importunity [that's bold persistence for modern English speakers]! God will be more easily moved than this unjust judge if only you are as importunate as this widow was. If you are sure it is a right thing for which you are asking, plead now! Plead at noon! Plead at night! Plead on--with cries and tears spread out your case! Put your arguments in order! Back up your pleas with reasons! Urge the precious blood of Jesus! Set the wounds of Christ before the Father's eyes! Bring out the atoning sacrifice--point to Calvary--enlist the crowned Prince, the Priest who stands at the right hand of God! And resolve in your very soul that if Zion does not flourish, if souls are not saved, if your family is not blessed, if your own zeal is not revived, you will die with the plea upon your lips and with the importunate wish upon your spirits!" -C.H. Spurgeon