Our Opportunity for Importunity

Daily Scripture Threshing for Thursday, July 22, 2021

Today’s Text: Luke 18:1–8

Key Verse: Luke 18:5 (ESV): “…Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ”

From the very beginning of this favorite Scripture passage, the Lord’s purpose was already stated by Dr. Luke: “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” God’s people must pray until their joy is full. They must never give any opportunity to quittal tendencies when it comes to the place of prayer. The devil will bombard us with all his fiery darts to stop us from praying. Often, many of us think we have prayed enough, and are planning to give up trying; meanwhile, in the mind of Christ, “Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name.” Though the emphasis here is on his name because all the prayers of believers under the Old Testament and up till that point did not explicitly name Jesus as a source. But what about you who have been given the name that is above all names? Have you prayed? Are you praying? Or have you fainted and lost heart in the place of prayer?!

Edward McKenrae Bounds once said that prayer is the one prime, eternal condition by which the Father is pledged to put the Son in possession of the world. Billy Graham described prayer as our most enlarging means of grace. The parable of this widow has so much to teach us. At first, the judge perhaps said, “I don’t have time, or I’m not interested in this matter!” But the woman didn’t take “no” for an answer. Importunity is taking a stand not to give up or take no for an answer. It is determining to be continually in the presence of God until our prayers are answered. The Lord asked a rhetorical question, “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?!” No doubt, the obvious answer is, sure, He will! Therefore, always make the most of this opportunity. Never give up on God. Be constant in season and out of seasons. Pray without ceasing.

Quote for the Day: “God is always pleased when His children follow Him in voluntary obedience in all things; including obeying the command to pray without ceasing.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, please give me a new heart that burns with the passion to seek you and pray. I have confidence that You answer prayer, in Jesus' name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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