Luke 11:9-10 – “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the words “persistence” and “perseverance” came to mind. How many times do we fail in the area of persistence and perseverance? How many times are we inconsistent and give in to temptation? How many times do we lament our situation and even adopt a victim mentality rather than standing firm and resisting the devil? Once is too many!
I love the story in Luke 11, where Jesus illustrates persistent prayer. We tend to read “Ask, seek, and knock” in a nonchalant manner. The context and the Greek debunk that attitude.
The idea, need, and benefit of persistence are impossible to miss. Then, Jesus said, “Ask, seek, and knock.” The Greek is “Ask and keep on asking. Knock and keep on knocking. Seek and keep on seeking.” Literally, yell out with extreme urgency, beating on the door persistently, while searching almost frantically for the answer.
Some say that they want freedom from sin and ask casually for God’s help, then succumb. They come back, almost justifying themselves or blaming external stimuli or God, and ask nonchalantly for help, then return to the mire. No! The answer must become a matter of life or death. The urgency must be impossible to ignore. The desire and determination must become all-consuming to press into God’s presence. THEN, the Holy Spirit and even angelic help comes. THEN, deliverance comes.
In Luke 13:23, Jesus was asked, “Are only a few being saved?” His answer says, “Although the invitation extends to everyone, FEW will find the door.” Prayer for ourselves or others must be fervent and prayed persistently with perseverance: no more flippant asking, but persistent pursuit of the answer.
James 5:16 – “The effective (fervent, persistent) prayer of a righteous person is powerful.” How important is the answer? How serious are we about the deliverance? How willing are we to admit our need, confess our sin, and pursue the answer (Jesus)?
God will answer the cries of persistent perseverance. When we get serious, God responds. That will not automatically remove consequences, but it will give a new start.
LORD, help us to be persistent in our pursuit of your presence!
