We can learn a lesson about persistence in prayer from a child’s tenacity.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds,
and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” 
Luke 11:9-10 English Standard Version

Portland, Oregon

When children learn what’s behind the glass of these containers they’re relentless in bugging mom and dad for a coin to buy that special treat. I remember bugging my mom for a penny (maybe it was a nickel) so that I could buy gum. You might remember being relentless in childhood as well.

Children are tenacious, and we adults could learn from them especially when it involves prayer.

Knowing what’s behind the glass of God’s love is what causes us to be persistent in prayer. What’s behind the glass is the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). It’s not a new car, home or boat. What we need more than anything else is the Holy Spirit.

It is this Spirit who brings us to faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3).

It is this Spirit who works his fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control in our lives (Galatians 5:22).

Through the work of the Holy Spirit the early church turned the world upside down. What might happen if Christians today persistently asked God to pour out his Spirit on us?

Copyright Douglas P Brauner