Pester Him

Pester Him

If you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. Luke 11:8

JESUS TOLD A PARABLE about being a pesky neighbor who repeatedly knocks on a neighbor’s door at midnight to ask for some bread to feed a visiting friend. It’s a strange and unlikely scenario, but it makes for a vivid picture. It compares our prayers to requests that should have been handled before midnight; to inopportune moments of need; and to persistent and even annoying demands. It doesn’t paint a flattering picture of the petitioner either, but his persistence gets the job done.

Of course, in our own prayers, God is not annoyed by our requests, doesn’t need to be woken up, and is glad to answer us for reasons other than “shameless persistence.” As with the unjust judge who gives a nagging widow what she wants just to get rid of her (Luke 18:1-5), Jesus is not trying to paint an accurate picture of God here. He makes a rather different point: the importance of praying with urgency and persistence. In the latter parable, the point was to “pray and never give up” (18:1). In this one, the message is similar: Don’t feel shame about your “shameless” prayers. Keep at it. Praying persistently does not mean remembering to mention something to God from time to time. It means banging on a door passionately and tenaciously until the answer comes. Whether we understand it or not, it’s part of the deal. Our relationship with God and our role as a steward of his Kingdom on earth allow plenty of room for boldness. We are like soldiers on the front lines who have no option of giving up before the battle is won.

When you know who God is, you can “pester” him—or, as the passage goes on to say, you can keep on asking, seeking, and knocking until God answers what was asked, provides what was sought, and opens the door that was closed. Uncertainty about his goodness, patience, and love will undermine that resolve. Knowing his character, his purposes, and his invitation strengthens it. Bold, persistent prayers are welcomed prayers, and when the time is right, they will be answered.

Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.