IMPORTUNITY AND YOUR PRAYER !

IMPORTUNITY AND YOUR PRAYER ! Jesus said, "Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, "Yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as needs. Now hold on to the word friend because it is another key to understanding this scripture . Jesus then says, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; not come and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asking receiveth; and he that speaketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be open." The amplified Bible reads, "Ask and keep on asking," with a footnote that says, "this is the present imperative and often repeated," it might be often repeated; but, in this instance, it is not because that would be contrary to other scriptures concerning prayer. (See Mark 11:24; John 15:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15). If you take that commentary to be the true meaning of this scripture, it is already distorted in your mind. Most people never read the footnote anyway, so they are left with a false impression that will defeat them in their prayer life. When you run into a situation like this, study it carefully and see if it compares to the other teachings of Jesus. Here the translators said it could have meant that, but it did not because it would refute other things Jesus taught concerning prayer. PERSISTENT FAITH ! Here are some things I want you to notice about the word importunity. The amplified Bible uses the word persistence. The Greek meaning bear facing us all holiness. If you take the word persistence by itself, it means "to keep on, to continue, to exspect or endure in the face of opposition." Now the man came for the breed. His presence was persistent. He didn't go away but was patiently waiting to receive. It does not say he kept on knocking. It does not say that he knocked twice. In fact, it does not say that he knocked once. He probably did, but the Bible doesn't say he did. He came to receive. He is persistent. He wouldn't leave until he had received. We also need to be that stubborn about something. If you say "persistence of faith," you have changed the meaning of the word persistent. Persistent faith does not mean faith that just keeps on asking. Persistent faith means faith that asked once, then stands its ground until it is manifest. True faith in God asks and receives ! (1 John 5:14-15). Persistent faith is different from persistence by itself. It is faith that receives or takes from God. Faith takes. This is what Jesus is portraying in this passage of Scripture. The Bible is an Eastern book and must be interpreted as such. In the Eastern cultures where it was written, the people understand, "Ask once and you receive." That is constant with Jesus teaching on prayer. Remember He also said not to use vain repetitions and to believe that you receive when you pray.