Some have the idea that we shouldn’t bother God with our problems. If we asked for something once, He heard us, and we should wait for His answer. Jesus did not teach us to pray in this manner.

After giving His disciples the model prayer, Jesus went on to deliver a parable showing God’s willingness to answer our prayers (Luke 11:5-8). He told of a man who went to a neighbor at midnight and asked for bread to supply an unexpected need. At first, the neighbor would not give him bread, but finally did so because of his persistence in asking.

Just as the man in this parable was persistent in his request, so should we be persistent in our prayers to God. Prayer is not like a fire extinguisher – to be used only in emergencies. God wants to hear from us often (1 Thess. 5:17).

Jesus is not teaching that God is like this grouchy man who didn’t want to help his neighbor. In fact, He is the opposite. If a tired and selfish man finally got up to meet this neighbor’s needs, how much more can we trust in God’s readiness to grant our requests?

If we will but ask, seek, and knock, we will find that God is more than willing to grant our requests (Luke 11:9-13). Jesus said God is our Father. Earthly parents are ready to provide the needs of their children. They don’t respond with harmful things (such as stones, serpents, or scorpions). Likewise, we can trust God to give us the things we need.

Praying in faith means asking with confidence that God hears us, cares, and will provide for our needs. Are you and I praying in faith? Are we persistent and confident in our prayers?