Praying Persistently - Be Intentional

“Jesus said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’” (Luke 18:2-3, NIV)

I have the sweetest miniature schnauzer named Lucky. He is old and struggles to hear, see, and walk. His back legs are so weak that he often does the splits on our smooth, hardwood floors. Watching him age in real time is painful.

Recently, Lucky started an odd behavior. He walks in circles. Round and round he goes for at least a minute before he finally collapses in a heap on the floor. Ironically, he wants to lie down. Every 10 laps or so, his legs, shaking with fatigue, will slowly bend in descent. But as soon as his tiny bottom touches the carpet, he pops back up and resumes the same route of circumference.

One day, as I watched him lumber around in this new routine, I silently begged him to give in and rest. My heart was aching for him when the Lord spoke quietly to my heart.

“That is what you look like.”

I quickly understood. I have been carrying a burden, round and round, for weeks. I, too, have moments where I stop and attempt to lie down, but just as quickly I pop back up and resume the march…unable to rest. Lucky was a perfect picture of my own angst and worry.

I am praying, which I know is the right thing to do, but I am not resting. Instead, I am making laps, circling God with different versions of the same prayer: Lord, change this, take it away, make it stop. Because what else am I to do with a burden bigger than myself?

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. The story involves an unjust judge and a widow who repeatedly pleads her case to him. At first, he refuses her, but in the end, he grows weary and grants her request. Like the widow, I was repeatedly pleading my case. But with a deeper read, I noticed I was also different from her.

The widow had confidence in the judge’s authority. She knew he had the power to invoke change and that is what kept her repeatedly coming back. I, however, didn’t have the same measure of assurance. I was coming to God often, but not with confidence. Rather I was approaching with worry and leaving with worry. Round and round I was going.

Anxiety is different from persistence. Anxiety wonders if God is able. Persistence doesn’t. One is fueled by fear, the other by confidence. Both involve repetition, but only one ends in peace. If I approach God, trusting in His power and abilities, then I can leave my request in His capable hands. I can be assured He will hold it, fix it, change it, or transform it according to what is best.

I can rest if my confidence is in Him.

I’ve learned that old dogs pace because they’re anxious. So now, when Lucky starts his routine, I scoop him up and lay with him on the couch. Holding him firmly, he quickly nestles down into my arms. In those moments, I picture God doing the same with me. When I pray with confidence in Him, I can rest in Him.

Be Intentional

Set a timer for one minute. Discuss with God your persistent prayers. Do they end in peace? Do you come to Him in confidence or just repetition? Offer your burden to Him today with a fresh confidence that puts your heart at rest.