God desires a deep relationship with us, and prayer is central to His purpose of creating a family in His image. Persistence in prayer is not about cajoling God into giving us what we ask for, as He is far more willing to provide than any human father. Instead, persistence means continuing to ask, seek, and knock, as seen in Luke 11:9, where the instruction is to keep on doing so. This aligns with the parable of the persistent friend, illustrating the importance of not giving up. In Luke 18, Jesus teaches that we ought always to pray and not lose heart, especially in the trying times of the end, when distractions and temptations surround us. Persistence in prayer during such periods is vital, not because God is unwilling to hear, but because we must learn to wait on Him, trusting that He operates in a different time frame. To Him, a thousand years is as a day, and though we may feel urgency, He has everything under control. God's delays in answering are not due to indifference. Sometimes, He may be testing our faith or the sincerity of our request, or it may not be the right time for all concerned. Persistence is essential, as Christ urges us not to give up, assuring us that God hears and will act in His way. He does not mock our prayers or offer unworthy substitutes; instead, He provides good gifts when they are needed, often in ways that benefit us eternally. Persistence in prayer also involves understanding God's perspective as Creator, not merely as Benefactor. When we ask for attributes like love or joy, God often grants them as raw material, requiring us to work with Him to refine and shape them through life's experiences. This process teaches us how to produce these qualities, ensuring we grow in His image. If we are not persistent, we may never find the ore, let alone the finished product. Finally, persistence is a mark of well-rounded character, as seen in examples like Peter, who continued knocking despite being turned away, and in historical figures who achieved great things through relentless effort. God encourages us to keep praying, not because He needs to be persuaded, but so we might see His salvation along the way, learning and growing as He supplies our needs in His perfect timing.

The necessity of patient, persistent, and persevering prayer is vividly taught through the Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Parable of the Persistent Friend. Both narratives highlight the immense contrast between God and human nature, demonstrating that God responds to the persistent pleas of His saints. In the Parable of the Persistent Friend, prayer focuses on necessities, while in the Parable of the Persistent Widow, it centers on protection. Both stories affirm that God will not fail us as human friends often do. Particularly, the Parable of the Persistent Widow connects to the final crisis of the last days, emphasizing prayer as a vital resource for the faithful remnant facing painful circumstances. As they await deliverance, persevering prayer becomes their refreshment and source of patience. Jesus precedes this parable with an exhortation on the duty to pray, the importance of dedication in prayer, and the need to resist the temptation to abandon it, concluding that prayer is fundamentally a matter of faith. The concept of "always" in prayer reflects the dedication required, indicating faithfulness to regular prayer times rather than constant prayer every moment. It encompasses praying in both good and bad times, and maintaining a continual readiness to pray whenever a crisis or need arises. Good habits of prayer reveal our priorities, showing dedication to God and strengthening our relationship with Him. Several factors cause people to discontinue praying, such as growing weary, giving in to evil, or turning coward. The human tendency to lose heart in prayer must be resisted, as it is a duty of God's elect. Defilement from sin, doubt in God's power, danger, distractions often caused by satan, and delays in answers to requests are major obstacles that can hinder persistence in prayer. Jesus uses the parable to teach that, despite delays in answers, we should persevere and not grow weary in praying to God. Jesus compares God's dealings to those of a corrupt judge to underscore the vast difference between a godless man and the righteous God. While the unjust judge acts out of self-interest and eventually avenges a widow due to her persistence, the selfless God is far more willing to hear and answer the supplications of His elect when offered according to His will. This comparison assures us that if even a heartless judge can be moved by persistence, the God of lovingkindness will provide substantially better treatment, ensuring vindication for His wrongly treated elect. Persistence, rather than lengthy or repetitive prayers, is key, as God already knows our needs and desires to give abundantly to those who ask according to His will.

Jesus taught His disciples the importance of persistence in prayer through the Parable of the Persistent Friend. In this parable, a host, despite the late hour, persistently sought bread from a sleeping friend to feed a weary traveler. Though initially refused, the host's continued knocking compelled the sleeping friend to relent, not out of friendship, but due to sheer persistence. Persistence in prayer is vital. We must not be discouraged if our initial requests seem unanswered. God often responds after long and persevering requests, testing our faith and preparing us to receive His blessings at the right time. He does not promise immediate answers but assures us that He will act according to His will and plan. Sometimes, we may need to wait for months or years, becoming fully dependent on Him, until we are ready to receive what we ask for, provided it aligns with His purpose. In prayer, we must humbly ask according to His will, not our own desires. If our request contradicts His plan, no persistence will sway Him. We should seek to understand our true motives and His will, ensuring our faith is supported by works. We must also knock persistently, pressing the matter repeatedly until He responds, if it accords with His will. God does not answer prayers reluctantly. Unlike the sleeping friend who needed to be pestered, God is never disturbed by our approach. He gives willingly, as generosity is part of His nature. We are encouraged to pray with intensity, asking diligently, seeking patiently, and knocking persistently. If a persistent friend was not discouraged by refusal but continued to ask earnestly, how much more should we diligently beseech God, who loves us and abundantly grants what we need?