To Beg to Bring Him Glory

Scripture
“I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” Luke 11:8

Observation
I love that Jesus uses stories to teach. Here you can see a man full of boldness and persistence trying to get his neighbor out of bed to help meet a need. This man has a rather unselfish request of bread for an unexpected visitor. And even though friendship with his neighbor is not enough to get him out of bed, the persistence of the man finally gets him what he needs. I love the picture of determination and purposefulness that Jesus uses to teach us how to pray.

Application
The word ‘ask’ used in this scripture also means ‘beg’. I would say that rarely does my prayer life resemble begging God for things that bring Him glory. I would also say that persistence doesn’t often describe my prayer life. When Jesus had this opportunity to teach about prayer He didn’t give us this illustration haphazardly. He desires my prayer life to be diligent, purposeful and persistent with the assurance that He hears and is ready to pour out His Holy Spirit.

Prayer
Father, help me to be more diligent and bold in my prayer life knowing that You hear and You care. Help me to not get discouraged when I don’t see an immediate answer to my prayer but rest in the knowledge that you hear me knocking and will pour out Your spirit in Your time.

— Crystal Stringer, high school minister, Reservoir campus