Jesus Teaches Patience and Persistence in Prayer

Rev. Stephenson continued teaching on prayer last Sunday.

We looked into Luke 11:5-13.
Take time to read it now (click on the scripture reference and it will take you to the passage online if you don't have a Bible handy).

His message highlighted three points:

• Patience and persistence is how Jesus taught His disciples to pray.
• Repetitious prayers change us.
• God will bring Himself to us in prayer.

Patient. Persistent. Prayer.

Why do we have to be persistent in asking... seeking... knocking...? 
Why does prayer seem like such a difficult door at times? 

First, because prayer does change us. 
Most of us don't think we need to change. We believe the circumstances or people we bring to God need to change, but certainly not us. Jesus calls us to persistent and patient prayer so we will come to the place where He can change our hearts through the circumstances or people He places around us.

Second, because God brings Himself to us in prayer.
We have a tendency to create God in our own image and understanding. So, when God reveals Himself to us through prayer we don't always agree with Who we come face to face with. Persistent and patient prayers bring us to a place where we have to change our understanding of God or reject the revelation and continue to cling to our own god.

God's objective in prayer is not always the same as ours. He desires for us to connect with Him in a way that transforms our lives to the character of His Son and come close enough to gain experiential knowledge of Him. We just want to get our way!

No wonder the door of prayer seems difficult at times. It's not that God is difficult. It's not that He doesn't hear. It's most likely that we haven't heard what we wanted or received what we expected.

Perhaps we need to look at things from the perspective of The Rolling Stones, just this once...

No, you can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometime, you just might find

You get what you need.

Be patient. I believe He has something better in mind than we could ever imagine.
Be persistent. You don't want to miss out on what He has for you.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV84

Do you find yourself persistent and patient in prayer?
When the answer you want does not come quickly, do you give up?
Are you willing to wrestle with God when He reveals things about you or Him that are disagreeable to you?