Yesterday I was telling my husband that I really need to get a blog post written. He asked, “Haven’t you run out of things to say?” Much to my surprise, I hadn’t. Until now. As I was driving home today, I found myself begging God for the words, the idea, the story, anything to get this written.
I began to reflect on the many things I have begged God for over the years. I have begged for the life of others, for healing, for jobs, for restored relationships and so much more. The Apostle Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. But, are we to annoy God with begging for our way like my teenage children do when they want something? Here is what Jesus says about persistence (begging God).
18 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?” (Luke 18 1-8 MSG).
He will stick up for us. He will seek justice for us. I have seen Him provide blog posts, jobs, heal and restore relationships. God cares about big things like healing and little things like blog posts. He cares about the details of our lives. He encourages persistence. I think of begging as an annoyance by my kids. God just sees our hearts.
I’m reframing my begging God to persistence and praying without ceasing. How about you? What do you beg God for? Do you feel like you can beg God? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.