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April 7, 2004
Keep On Asking
I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. —Luke 11:9

I heard a woman say that she never prayed more than once for anything. She didn't want to weary God with her repeated requests.

The Lord's teaching on prayer in Luke 11 contradicts this notion. He told a parable about a man who went to his friend's house at midnight and asked for some bread to feed his unexpected visitors. At first the friend refused, for he and his family were in bed. Finally he got up and gave him the bread—not out of friendship but because the caller was so persistent (vv.5-10).

Jesus used this parable to contrast this reluctant friend with our generous heavenly Father. If an irritated neighbor will give in to his friend's persistence and grant his request, how much more readily will our heavenly Father give us all we need!

It's true that God, in His great wisdom, may sometimes delay His answers to prayer. It's also true that we must pray in harmony with the Scriptures and God's will. But Jesus moved beyond those facts to urge us to persist in prayer. He told us to ask, seek, and knock until the answer comes (v.9).

So don't worry about wearying God. He will never tire of your persistent prayer!
  — Joanie Yoder

Don't think true prayer escapes God's ears,
He hears your every plea;
Though hope's deferred, believe—believe!
The answer you will see. —Anon.

God never tires of our asking.


For similar resources, search these topics:

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
http://www.rbc.org/devotions.aspx?id=7512
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