Matthew 7:7

It’s interesting to hear how often people say things like: “My problems were so great all I could do was pray”, as if prayer is an activity confined to desperate situations. But these words of Jesus make it plain that he is eager for us to be persistent in prayer, and not reserve our praying for moments of sheer desperation. He wants us to keep it up continually for the simple reason that he wants to maintain an ongoing relationship with us. In a marriage or close friendship, it would be absurd if there was an agreement to talk on a monthly basis or if the need arose.

The fact is, of course, that we may not always feel like praying. Julian of Norwich, who lived more than 600 years ago, wrote strikingly and honestly about this, saying: “Pray inwardly, even if you do not enjoy it. It does good, though you feel nothing, see nothing, yes, even though you think you are doing nothing. For when you are dry, empty, sick or weak, at such a time is your prayer most pleasing, though you find little enough to enjoy in it. This is true of all believing prayer.”

When we pray we can have confidence because we can be sure that God hears us and will answer us. Because of his perfect love for us his responses will not always be in the way or at the time that we request. If he did exactly what we asked for and at the time that we requested it, prayer wouldn’t be prayer at all. It would be called magic and we would be the ones in control. Prayer is about us placing our lives securely in God’s hands and trusting him to respond in the way and at the time that he knows is best.

Dwight L Moody, the American evangelist, said: “When it is hardest to pray, we ought to pray the hardest.” Wise words that underline the importance of being persistent in prayer, however we are feeling.

Question

Do you find it easy to be persistent in prayer? If you don’t, then what might help you? If you do, thank God that you do!

Prayer

Loving God, thank you that you want us to keep close to you in prayer. Help me to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Amen