Shameless Persistance

 In Luke 11:5-13 Jesus uses a parable to teach us a lesson in prayer. In this parable, a visitor arrives at a man's house late at night, and probably unexpectedly. Hospitality was a vital part of middle eastern culture, so this man was in a desperate situation. We may look at this and think to ourselves that the hour is late, welcome your guest, and then get everyone back to bed. Deal with the food issue in the morning. Not so in this example. Hospitality demanded the bread to set before the guest, even at this late hour.

The man, in his desperation goes to his neighbor for help. It is midnight, and his neighbor is in bed with his family, and the house is locked up for the night. His answer is no, I cannot help you. However, Jesus stated that the man may not get up to help because of the friendship these men share, but he will get up and give his friend bread because of his importunity. This word importunity means persistence. The man would not take no for an answer but kept beating on his neighbor's door asking for bread. The Amplified version puts it this way,

     I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs (Luke 11:8 AMP.)

I think most of us would give up with the first no. It would seem awkward, even rude to wake up a neighbor at midnight, and then to go back and keep knocking and asking. But not so with God. Jesus goes on to tell us that the one who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and the one who knocks will have the door opened (Luke 11:9-10). In the Greek construction, the verbs ask, seek, and knock imply a continual action. Again, I like how the Amplified Bible puts this.

     So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened (Luke 11:9-10 AMP).

I have run across Christians who believe that if you have to ask more than once it means you don't have faith. I have heard others say that their children don't have to ask more than once for them to hear, listen and give what their child wants. That said however, the point is what Jesus teaches! He is teaching us to be persistent. To be shamefully persistent. Elsewhere we are told to come boldly to the throne of grace for help in time of need (Heb 4:16).

Some may think this to be arrogant or presumptuous, but our need should create a desperation within us, a passion that drives us to God with a desire that cannot be denied. Do we really want what we pray for? Do we really expect God to hear and grant our requests? One whose petitions are fueled by such a faith as this will come boldly, will come with a shameless persistence, and will have their requests granted.