he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.
We need persistence. This means that for those things that really matter we can't just throw prayers at the wall to see if they stick. When we are convicted about something we need to pray relentlessly. We need to ask and keep asking. This is one thing which the Amplified Bible renders better:
So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you
This verse about asking follows the parable about persistence for a reason. It is only if we ask with persistence that we receive. Who goes up to someone's door and knocks only a single time? Yet this is what we do with prayer. And then we run away, afraid, ultimately, that we're going to suffer the wrath of the one inside. But the one inside is not full of wrath. He wants us to come in. He wants us to really make up our minds about it and will not force us. In fact, he is knocking continuously on the doors of our hearts before we ever come to him. He loves us even while we are yet sinners. We ourselves know how to give good things to our children even though we are wicked. How much more does the Father want to pour out in abundance on us.
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?
The day is really coming when persistence will be rewarded and when those who seek more short term strategies for fulfillment will be disappointed.
But for you who fear my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays.
Prayer is meant to reshape our will and conform it to God. It cannot achieve this end if it is just a weak and momentary thought. God is the one who teaches us to pray. It is his grace that gives us persistence and allows our hearts to be conformed to his. We have but to enter in.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
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