Shameless Persistence

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to prayer (Luke 11:1-13). He starts with what has been called the Lord's prayer but in truth it's a template or outline for the disciples and us to follow.

Then the Lord transitions from the "how" of prayer to the substance of meaningful prayer.

True prayer takes shameless persistence. Jesus gives an illustration of a friend in need asking for help. "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth" (Luke 11:18). The word importunity in the original means "shameless or unembarrassed" persistency.

Too often we don't ask the Lord for the most personal and intimate needs in our lives. We may feel foolish. Perhaps we don't think it matters to Him or it's too painful to put in words the deepest need of our heart.

I remember a time when I felt ashamed to ask God to heal me of a disease that I brought on myself through foolish choices. But the Lord instructed me to ask big and bold. The Lord taught me to press into Him though everything went contrary to what I thought including the voices of others who may agreed. You made your bed and now lie in it! But I'm reminded of Jesus who said to the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven and to get up! (Matthew 9:6).

Beloved, when we ask God in faith no matter how difficult and hard the request - He is pleased to grant us what He desires. I believe faith moves the heart of God that He unlocks the door to blessings we don't deserve but nonetheless are richly bestowed on those who have learned to ask shamelessly - even while feeling small and too ashamed to ask.

So ask big and shamelessly bold my brothers and sisters. Remember the purpose of prayer is not so much getting an answer but rather a greater revelation of the heart of God. He is good - all the time - life is not but He remains faithful to us - to the very end.

One day we look at Him face to face. None of the prayers answered or unanswered will matter as much as that single look of love in His eyes. All His interactions in our lives - the times He got up and unlocked the door to so many blessings - only to open heaven to us!