2006-01-02 - The Prayer of Importunity

Luke 18:1-7 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, `Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, `Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

The prayer of importunity, based on the persistence of the widow, is an important lesson we all need to learn. God is a counter-example to the judge. God does not begrudge answering prayer. Jesus' point is that if an insensitive judge will respond to the continual requests of a widow, God will certainly respond to the continual prayers of believers.

To importune simply means to make urgent or persistent (continual) solicitations. It's time for us to go directly to the Mercy Seat of God and open up the heavenlies with our ceaseless crying out of persistent prayers. The Word of God tells us not to "lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:19-21).

Sometimes, looking at our own as well as our children's lives and various situations can make us lose hope, but the God of Heaven says that, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26). We must continue to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal 6:2), and remember that if two agree on earth concerning anything, it will be done for them by God Himself. For where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in the midst of them (Matt 18:18-20). It doesn't say he might do it or even that He will think about it. He promises us that "whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John14:13-14).

John 16:24 tells us to ask and we will receive, and our joy will be complete. Doesn't this fill afresh with new hope and joy? Jesus tells us that He will give us the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatever we bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever we lose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven. Let's begin to plunder Hell and populate Heaven. Let us beseech God, that His eyes will be open and His ears attentive to prayer made, because He has sanctified our homes and hearts, that His name may be there forever; and His eyes and heart will be there perpetually (2 Chron 7:15-16).

As Solomon prayed, let us also pray, that God will regard the prayer of His servant and his supplication, and listen to the cry and the prayer which His servant is praying before Him. That His eyes may be opened toward this temple day and night, toward the place where He said He would put His name, that He may hear the prayer which His servant makes toward this place. And that He may hear from heaven, His dwelling place, and when He hears, forgive, restore, and deliver (2 Chron 6:19-21).

Father, we thank You and praise You for Your grace, glory, and favor in our lives, and for being a constant source of encouragement & support to us. Daddy, it is so incredible that we can go to You again & again, every single time we feel the need, and it's ok. You don't grow weary of hearing us, & You don't grow weary of helping us. You are amazing!

In Jesus Precious name, we pray. amen!

Comments or Questions?
Cheryl

botwbld@cfdevotionals.org
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