Luke 11:5-8 And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;… When a person told a story in a heartless way, Demosthenes said,'" I don't believe you." But when the person then repeated the assertion with great fervour, Demosthenes replied, "Now I do believe you." Sincerity and earnestness are ever urgent. The prophetess at Delphos would not go into the temple once when Alexander wished to consult the oracle. He then forced her to go, when she said, "My son, thou art invincible"; a remark which led him to believe he should always conquer in war. Luther was so earnest in his prayers that it used to be said, "He will not be denied." When Scotland was in danger of becoming Popish, John Knox prayed most mightily for its preservation in the true faith. "Give me Scotland," he pleaded, "or I die"; and his prayers have been answered. Epaphras "laboured fervently in prayer." Christ "being in an agony, prayed the more fervently"; and now, "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." God has pleasure in holy importunity. "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me when ye seek Me with all your heart." We get fervour as we "continue instant in prayer," and our earnestness sends up our petitions to God through Christ, and brings down the blessings which God gives in His own time and way. Fervent and persevering prayer fits us to receive the blessings which God gives. Importunate prayer has divided seas, stopped the mouths of lions, raised the dead to life, and has secured all kinds of blessings. Cecil says of those who pray as they ought, "God denies them nothing, but with the design to give them a greater good." If our spirit "break with much longing," then "before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear." (H. R. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; |
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