Jesus taught some fascinating principles about the persistence we should have in prayer in Luke11 …

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house atmidnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend ofmine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ Andsuppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked forthe night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tellyou this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking longenough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shamelesspersistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what youask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the doorwill be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks,finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—ifyour children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they askfor an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful peopleknow how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenlyFather give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

There is so much in this passage. But what did you hear? How do these words challenge you to pray?And how should you change your prayers to match these principles? Morepersistence? More honesty? More expectation? A healthier perspective that Godwants to bless you?

Listen to this passage again in The Message Bible …

Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the nightand said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend travelingthrough just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’ “The friend answersfrom his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down forthe night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’ “But let me tell you, even ifhe won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking andwaking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.“Here’s what I’m saying: Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock andthe door will open. “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boyasks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? Ifyour little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as youare, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your ownchildren. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will givethe Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

So, how much do you ask? Seek? Knock? Do you pray one or two times and then assume you have alreadyprayed for it? Or do you pray for fish but in your heart expect snakes? Jesusmade a lot of promises to us here. Maybe we should start to take Him up onthem?

As you ruminate on this, let’s take some slow deep breaths once again.

Breathe deep then slowly exhale and let go of your strife and stress. Move into the balance Godoffers you in this new day by trusting Him.

Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, forgive me when I expect but don’t ask. Forgive me when I askfor fish but think you’re going to hand me a snake. Help me change my mind soYou can change my heart. Let my prayers be like a child expecting good giftsfrom a Father. As above, so below.”