Persistence in Prayer
“…to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10b (NIV)
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13b (NIV)
How many times do you think the friend who knocked on his neighbor’s door at midnight had to knock before receiving bread? Scripture tells us it was because of his shameless persistence that he was given as much as he needed.
Jesus’ promise in this parable almost feels too good to be true:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9–10 (NIV)
If I call Jesus my Lord and Savior and believe He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6 NIV), then I must take Him at His word.
Mark 9:14–24 gives a clear picture of the tension between faith and doubt. A desperate father brings his suffering son to Jesus after the disciples could not heal him. When the father says, “But if you can do anything…” Jesus responds:
“‘If you can’?… Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:22–24 (NIV)
That is the honest cry of persistent prayer.
Persistent prayer helps my heart cling to God’s promises, allowing unbelieving places to be washed in truth until my spirit agrees with the Word. It softens my will under the redeeming blood of Jesus so that, whatever the answer, I can trust His goodness.
Not only does Jesus promise an answer: He promises better than we can imagine:
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13b (NIV)
As believers, the Holy Spirit is our internal supply of supernatural power. We have everything we need in Him, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and reverence for the Lord (Isaiah 11:1–3). The Holy Spirit connects us to heaven, God’s Kingdom inside us now.
Persistent prayer aligns my spirit with His Spirit. It builds boldness to approach the throne of grace and keep knocking until His door opens. And when it does, the answer becomes a demonstration of God’s power and glory.
My fellow mamas, keep knocking.
Take hold of His promises and speak them back to Him in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6–7). Let your spirit wrestle with His Spirit. Do not let go until He blesses you (Genesis 32:26).
God hears you. God sees you. God answers.
Keep knocking, mama. Heaven opens to the persistent.
With love,
Macey Hickox and the Help Club for Moms Team
I remember going into my daughter's room night after night and kneeling beside her bed and crying my heart out to God because I didn’t know how to be a Christian mom; I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. You know what? God is so faithful! He answered me and simply said, “Spend time with me, Deb.” And so I did. I began arising 15-30 minutes earlier each day so I could read my Bible and pray, and plan out my day with my family.
If there was one thing I would love to share with you is that God is personal and loves you as you are. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved by our amazing God! Come as you are! His loving presence can be practically known and experienced. He is not a God who is far away, He is near and easily found. He longs for you to come to Him!
Randy and I have been married for 33 years and we have two grown children, Christie, and Jack, and one answer to prayer son-in-law named Alex. And now I get to be a Gigi to my sweet little grandbabies, Aspen and Skylar, and Piper. Yay!
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