“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 NIV

Persistent In Life

My 14 year old daughter doesn’t take no for an answer. Not well, anyway. When she wants something, she is tenacious — or annoying. Depends on whom you ask. No matter how strong the stance I take or how solid my reasoning, she continues to plead her case. Sometimes she comes out swinging, angrily arguing with me. Other times, realizing the folly of that tactic, this child of mine returns a little later asking me to reconsider. With this, she presents some well thought out, but sometimes misguided, rationalizations.

This child’s determination often leads to loud, mad, unkind voices; which later produce apologies. Sometimes I stand firm. But at times, she wears me down. She stays on me like the stink on her athletic shoes until I give in — exhausted and emotionally drained. (Please tell me I’m not the only parent to do this!)

Persistent In Prayer

I think I could learn something from my girl about how to ask for what I want from God. In Luke chapter 18, Jesus told of a widow who pleaded with an unjust judge. She wore him down with her determination and he acquiesced to her request. How much more will our righteous Judge listen to the single-minded prayers of His children.

I do present my requests to God. If I’m honest, I don’t always approach Him as my plan A. And then when I do finally get around to discussing things with Him, (after stewing, avoiding, escaping, talking to others or any number of “unwise solutions”), I sometimes only mention my issue once instead of having persistent prayer. And then I continue on trying to fix things in my own power. Or forget about it all together as I go about my busy way. But I need to remember that God doesn’t get annoyed with me like I do with my daughter. Asking Him and talking to Him tirelessly only leads to a deeper and better relationship. My petitions, at times, may persuade the mind of God, but more often… my prayers change me.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV

“pray continually,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

This devotion originally appeared on Devotable written by Lauren Sparks

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