We are repeatedly exhorted, encouraged, and commanded in scripture to be a people of prayer. In Luke 11:5-13, we are once again given a story to encourage us to pray. It is the story of a man who desperately needs to borrow some bread from a neighbor. He has an unexpected guest arrive and he has nothing to feed them. In the New Testament culture this puts his reputation at stake.
At first the neighbor will not respond. But finally, after much persistence the neighbor does. We are told (Luke 11:8), "I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs."
Impudence is an interesting word. It conveys an almost arrogant expectation. While I do not think we should approach God arrogantly, we can approach God with a great level of expectation that He will answer our prayers. In fact, Jesus tells us, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you" (Luke 11:9).
Be persistent in prayer. Do not lose hope. Even if God does not respond immediately, continue to ask, continue to seek, and continue to knock. God does hear your prayer and will answer according to His will and in His time.
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