Luke 11:8-9 “…even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “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.”
Jesus is teaching the logistics of prayer. He is telling us to Pray… and pray boldly and persistently. He is straightforward here because prayer is a difficult discipline. The enemy is committed to keeping you from praying because a life without prayer is a life without power. Prayer is the most effective way we can influence change.
We stress, and have anxiety over things we cannot control even though scripture is clear that you can’t add even a moment to your life by worrying… But the Bible says prayer moves mountains …So what does prayer look like? Jesus gives us the mechanics in Matthew 6, but here He talks about the emotional attitude needed to be a prayer warrior.
Jesus invites us to “bother” God until we get an answer. When my daughter was young, she would tug on her mom and say “mama, mama, mama, mama” until she got her attention…. Jesus proposes we do the same. He encourages us to have an intimacy with God that doesn’t stand on ceremony.
The guy in this verse is banging on a door to wake up his buddy. No formalities, just an understanding that his friend will be there for him. God is there for you… You don’t have to speak formally. You may not be able to speak at all , just come to God…He hears, and understands your broken heart… you are not alone, and His power is transformative.
Prayer changes things… the answer may not be according to your plan (see the Garden of Gethsemane), but God will respond powerfully. Keep pursuing the Giver, not the gift… ask, seek, knock… continue banging on the door. God will respond, and if you don’t comprehend the answer, keep praying in faith, because someday you will understand.
The most important thing you can do today is to make prayer a priority. Schedule it, block all distractions, and lean into it…. Nothing will impact your life more.
“Prayer is God's backstage pass into a personal audience with Him.”
- Tony Evans
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