Have you ever been around someone who just really knew how to connect with God in prayer? And when you heard them pray, something in you wanted to pray like that too. That’s how the disciples must have felt when they heard Jesus pray, because they asked “teach us to pray.” So, Jesus says "pray like this" and then he prays the prayer that's commonly known as the Lord’s prayer (found in Luke 11). But it’s what Jesus says after that prayer that I think is often overlooked when it comes to how we approach our heavenly Father in prayer.
Jesus tells the story of a man who needs bread. And this man goes to his neighbor in the middle of the night and asks him for what he needs. The neighbor is at home and in bed and (understandably) doesn’t want to be bothered. But the man who needs the bread keeps knocking. Here’s how Jesus concludes the story: “But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
I love this story, because this isn’t how I would have expected Jesus to describe his heavenly Father. Jesus is basically saying that God plays the role of the reluctant neighbor when we’re in need and that sometimes God gives us what we need for no other reason than our shameless persistence.
So, during this Fall40, how shamelessly persistent are you being? Are you asking God again for what you need? And again? And again? Don't quit praying, because He might be putting on his slippers and getting ready to open the door and finally give you what you need.
And we’re being shamelessly persistent in our prayers for the future of The Journey. Almost a year ago, we began a three year journey of giving big towards the dream of Life Investments. With persistence we prayed that God would help us maximize our current campus to better reach and connect people. The result: a beautifully renovated campus where people are being reached and getting connected. Then we persistently prayed that God would allow us to hire staff to empower members for ministry. The result: full and part time staff have been hired and are empowering Journey members for ministry. Now we’re praying that God would help us prepare to move
to a new and better place so we can continue to grow. And because we’ve learned a little something over the past year, we’re going to pray that God would help us with what we need. Would you join me in persistently praying that God would help us prepare to move? And then would you pray again? And then again?
Below is a song that captures the essence of moving forward. Let it set the tone during your prayer time.
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