Keep Knocking

Luke 18:1-8

“Amen.” As the Anderson family ended their devotions, Beth stretched. “Every night we pray for Mrs. Gerard, but she just gets meaner,” she observed out loud. “I’m tired of praying for her.”

“Me too,” agreed Zack. “Yesterday she yelled at me because my ball bounced into her yard.”

“All the more reason to pray for her,” said Dad. “God says we are to pray for those who are mean to us. Besides, Mrs. Gerard may be closer to becoming a Christian than you realize.” He reached for his coat. “Who wants to go to the post office with me?”

“I do,” Zack answered.

Mom replied, “I’ll stay here and help Beth wash her hair.”

“We won’t be long,” Dad promised.

Soon Beth’s hair was a mountain of suds as she leaned over the sink. She squeezed her eyes shut. “I think I hear the doorbell,” she murmured.

Mom stopped the shampooing and listened. “Oh, dear,” she said as she reached for a towel. She dried her hands. “I’m coming! I’m coming!” she called as the bell rang again.

Beth looked at her mother. Some sudsy water dripped into one eye. “Ohhh, I got soap in my eye.”

Mom handed her the towel. “Just sit still,” said Mom. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Beth rubbed her eye gently as she waited. In a few seconds Mom returned. “Who was it?” Beth asked.

Mom shrugged as she turned on the faucet to rinse Beth’s hair. “I don’t know,” she said. “They drove off just as I got to the door.”

Beth wrapped a towel around her head. Her mother smiled. “This reminds me of our conversation about Mrs. Gerard.”

“How?” asked Beth.

“Well, those people in the car gave up just before I answered the door and—”

“Maybe God is just about to answer our prayers for Mrs. Gerard!” finished Beth.

“Exactly,” answered Mom.

How about You?

Have you been praying for someone for a long time? Are you getting discouraged? Don’t quit. Keep praying.

Memorize:

“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1, NKJV