The term "importune" refers to persistent and urgent solicitation or entreaty, often to the point of annoyance. In the context of the Bible, importunity is seen as a form of earnest and persistent prayer or request, demonstrating faith and perseverance in seeking God's intervention or favor.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 11:5-8 : In this passage, Jesus shares the Parable of the Friend at Midnight to illustrate the power of persistent prayer. A man goes to his friend's house at midnight to ask for bread. Despite the inconvenience, the friend eventually gives in due to the man's persistence. Jesus concludes, "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs." This parable underscores the importance of importunity in prayer, encouraging believers to be persistent in their requests to God.

2. Luke 18:1-8 : The Parable of the Persistent Widow further emphasizes the value of importunity. A widow repeatedly approaches an unjust judge, seeking justice against her adversary. Although the judge neither fears God nor respects people, he eventually grants her request to avoid being worn out by her continual coming. Jesus uses this account to teach that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will God, who is just and loving, respond to the persistent prayers of His people.

Theological Significance:

Importunity in prayer is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's character and promises. It reflects a deep reliance on God and a recognition of His sovereignty and goodness. The Bible encourages believers to approach God with confidence and persistence, knowing that He hears and responds to the prayers of His children.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to practice importunity in their prayer lives, continually bringing their needs, desires, and concerns before God. This persistent approach is not about wearing God down but about aligning one's heart with His will and demonstrating unwavering faith. It is a reminder that God values the earnest prayers of His people and that He is attentive to their cries.

Related Concepts:

· Faith: Importunity is closely linked to faith, as it requires a steadfast belief in God's ability and willingness to answer prayer.
· Perseverance: The act of importuning God in prayer is an exercise in perseverance, reflecting a commitment to seeking God's will and timing.
· Trust in God: Persistent prayer is an expression of trust in God's character and His promises, acknowledging that He knows what is best for His children.

In summary, importunity is a biblical principle that encourages believers to be persistent in their prayers, trusting in God's faithfulness and timing. Through importunity, believers demonstrate their faith and reliance on God, confident that He hears and answers their prayers according to His perfect will.1. (v.) To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent demands, unreasonable or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry.

2. (v.) To import; to signify.

3. (v. i.) To require; to demand.

4319. prosaiteo -- to ask besides
... beg. From pros and aiteo; to ask repeatedly (importune), ie Solicit -- beg. see
GREEK pros. see GREEK aiteo. (prosaiton) -- 1 Occurrence. 4318, 4319. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4319.htm - 5k7292. rahab -- to act stormily, boisterously or arrogantly
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to act stormily, boisterously or arrogantly
NASB Word Usage confused (1), importune (1), made me bold (1), storm (1). ...
/hebrew/7292.htm - 6k

Impressive Phrases
... solemn, profound, serious, and difficult. solicit, urge, implore, and importune
[importune = insistent requests]. sorrow, disaster, unhappiness, and bereavement ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Earth Brings Forth, as if by Suppuration...
... death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially
if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats? [8221] Assuredly ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter i the earth brings.htm

"Because of his Importunity. "
... "BECAUSE OF HIS IMPORTUNITY.". "Nov.19 [1846]."I am now led more and more to importune
the Lord to send me the means, which are requisite in order that I may ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/because of his importunity.htm

The Joy of the Cross
... I have no other store; And, though with fervent suit I pray,. And importune thee
night and day,. I ask thee nothing more. My rapid hours pursue the course. ...
/.../the joy of the cross.htm

The Parables of the Importunate Widow, and of the Pharisee and the ...
... [4917] He show us that it is God the judge whom we must importune with
prayer, and not Himself, if He is not Himself the judge. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxxvi the parables of the.htm

Letter xiv. To Heliodorus, Monk.
... He is rich enough who is poor"with Christ. 2. But what is this, and why do I foolishly
importune you again? Away with entreaties, an end to coaxing words. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xiv to heliodorus monk.htm

Even to this Objection we are not at a Loss for an Answer ...
... Were these, then, trifling or unworthy wants to importune the Deity to come down
and take a survey of the nature of man, when mankind was so miserably and ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xv even to this.htm

Thus, Then, all whom the Process Embraced were Brought Before the ...
... For Martin, being then settled at Treves, did not cease to importune Ithacius, that
he should give up his accusations, or to implore Maximus that he should not ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter l thus then all.htm

Letter clxxxiv. To Eustathius, Bishop of Himmeria.
... Pray yourself, and entreat all the brotherhood earnestly to importune the Lord,
to grant us one day release from the present distress. Footnotes: ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxxxiv to eustathius bishop.htm

Letter cxvii. (AD 410. )
... I might importune you at a greater length, and through many of your dear friends;
but I know your disposition, that you do not desire to be solicited, but show ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxvii a d 410.htm

Importune (1 Occurrence)
... worry. 2. (v.) To import; to signify. 3. (vi) To require; to demand.
Multi-Version Concordance Importune (1 Occurrence). Proverbs ...
/i/importune.htm - 7k

Importunity (1 Occurrence)

/i/importunity.htm - 7k

Importunate (1 Occurrence)

/i/importunate.htm - 6k

Entreat (55 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To treat with, or in respect to, a thing desired; hence, to ask earnestly;
to beseech; to petition or pray with urgency; to supplicate; to importune. ...
/e/entreat.htm - 25k

Push (23 Occurrences)
... too far. 5. (vt) To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass. 6. (vt) To
importune; to press with solicitation; to tease. 7. (vi ...
/p/push.htm - 14k

Sure (142 Occurrences)
... 6:3, the King James Version has "Make sure thy friend" for rahabh, "be boisterous"
"beset" the Revised Version (British and American) "importune." The sense is ...
/s/sure.htm - 40k

Surely (587 Occurrences)
... 6:3, the King James Version has "Make sure thy friend" for rahabh, "be boisterous"
"beset" the Revised Version (British and American) "importune." The sense is ...
/s/surely.htm - 39k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into
the hand of thy neighbor: Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor; (See ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into
the hand of thy neighbor: Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor; (See ...
/n/neighbour.htm - 34k

What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org

Importune: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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