In my Webster’s Dictionary under the definition for the word “persist” it says: “To take a stand, to stand firm (to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning); to remain unchanged or fixed in a specific character, condition, or position; to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question); to continue to exist past a usual, expected, or normal time.” To persist is to persevere, to keep it up, to keep on, to carry on, and to stick with it. This is part of the advice Jesus gives His Disciples [us] about prayer. He tells us to pray always and to be persistent.
The other part of today’s Gospel story about prayer refers to our personal relationship with God, the Father: He is our divine parent! Our relationship to God has an intimacy demonstrated by Jesus in His prayer today (the Lord’s Prayer), in calling our Creator “Father.” We are the children of a loving and bountiful God, who provides daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation.
Our dependence on God never ends, and our prayer must be as persistent and constant as is our dependence on Him. We understand that the “daily bread” is for the eternal banquet in heaven, and that (God’s) forgiveness is needed to enter in¾and may be in response to the forgiveness we extend to others. We are all in the midst of the “time of trial,” and we are given what is needed to persist, to carry on, and to persevere.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We know the Father is eager for us to receive all good gifts, and so confidently we ask, persistently we seek, and with blessed assurance we knock. We may find as we persist in our prayers that they change from petition to praise; from appeal to thanksgiving, “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, now and forever.” You Satisfy the Hungry Heart and Renew Your People, Lord of All Hopefulness!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
The other part of today’s Gospel story about prayer refers to our personal relationship with God, the Father: He is our divine parent! Our relationship to God has an intimacy demonstrated by Jesus in His prayer today (the Lord’s Prayer), in calling our Creator “Father.” We are the children of a loving and bountiful God, who provides daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation.
Our dependence on God never ends, and our prayer must be as persistent and constant as is our dependence on Him. We understand that the “daily bread” is for the eternal banquet in heaven, and that (God’s) forgiveness is needed to enter in¾and may be in response to the forgiveness we extend to others. We are all in the midst of the “time of trial,” and we are given what is needed to persist, to carry on, and to persevere.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We know the Father is eager for us to receive all good gifts, and so confidently we ask, persistently we seek, and with blessed assurance we knock. We may find as we persist in our prayers that they change from petition to praise; from appeal to thanksgiving, “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, now and forever.” You Satisfy the Hungry Heart and Renew Your People, Lord of All Hopefulness!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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