“Then he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.” Then he will reply from inside, “Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.’” —Luke 11:5–8
In this story, Jesus is teaching us about the need for boldness and persistence when we pray. This same principle is presented in Luke 18 when Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. The widow keeps approaching a judge for justice. The judge was neither God-fearing nor cared about people, yet because of her persistence, he granted her request just to avoid having her wear him out. Jesus ends that story with:
“And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unrighteous judge says! Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long to help them?’” —Luke 18:6–7
In contrast to an unjust judge who is compliant simply to get someone off his back, God, who is just and holy and righteous, will respond quickly to the cries of His children. We are told in Hebrews:
“For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” —Hebrews 4:15–16
Jesus, our High Priest, who lives to intercede for us, administers mercy to us as we approach the “throne of grace.”
“So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised. For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.” —Hebrews 10:35–38
“With such a High Priest, it follows that believers should approach the throne of grace with confidence. In a book filled with lovely and captivating turns of expression, few excel the memorable phrase “throne of grace.” Such a conception of the presence of God into which beleaguered Christians may come at any time, suggests both the sovereignty of the One they approach (since they come to a “throne”) and His benevolence. At a point of contact with God like this Christians can fully expect to receive mercy and find grace to help … in … time of need.” — Bible Knowledge Commentary
“God, the eternal God of the universe, stands, as it were, like an almighty servant and says: ‘If you, My child, will only pray I will work; if you will only be busy with asking I will see to the doing.’ Not only does He bestow at our cry, but He acts. Not only does our praying evoke His bounty, it sets in motion His omnipotence. Wherefore, as we enter into the secret chamber of prayer, nothing will so stir us to mighty intercession, nothing will so soon make us master-pleaders with God for a lost world, as to whisper to our own soul, again and again, this wonderful truth, ‘While I am praying God is really doing that which I am asking!’” —James H. McConkey
Become More
God calls each one of us to pray both boldly and persistently, not on our own merits or righteousness, for we have none, but on the merits of Christ!
“God’s best gifts, like valuable jewels, are kept under lock and key, and those who want them must, with fervent faith, importunately ask for them; for God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” —Dwight L. Moody
Further Reflection
“Effectual fervent prayer has been the mightiest weapon of God’s mightiest soldiers.” —E. M. Bounds