I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
Luke 11:8 (NIV)
Lord, I pray for shameless audacity, a relentless persistence as it pertains to the things of You. As I seek to be who You have created me to be and do what You have set forth for me to do, help me not to be deterred or discouraged by the initial responses that I get from people or circumstances.
I confess, it is always easier to just say it wasn’t meant to happen. When things don’t go my way or the issue seems too insurmountable my natural tendency is to say it must not have been meant for me. Even as it pertains to Your promises, when I don’t see them manifested in my life my tendency is to conclude that they were not necessarily intended for me, at least right now.
Yet, You said in Your Word that all the promises of God find their “yes” in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:20). And, if I am hidden in Him, I should expect at least a “pour over” from His abundance. Where I fall short is that I give up too easy. When a little trouble comes my way I throw my hands up and declare it’s too hard. What little faith!
I want to be tenacious concerning the things of You. I want to take to heart the encouragement from my Savior, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).” There is no obstacle too big, no mountain too high, no challenge too great for me to overcome with Jesus on my side! There is nothing too great or small for me to take to Him! This is a true promise You have given to me.
Help me to be like that widow who relentlessly brought her petition to that unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8), confidently knowing that You are not like him, but instead are eagerly awaiting my requests! Grant me peace knowing that I am not getting on Your nerves but instead am fulfilling Your call to me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Give me the strength and resolve to walk in this reality today and everyday in Jesus’ Name. Amen.