IMPORTUNITY

Marlene Hao

What is importunity?  Importunity is to be persistent in requests or demands, to continue in one's course in spite of opposing influences.

In our walk with God, we must always be in constant prayer, that we may gain the strength to continue in His words (Lk 11:5-13).

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Lk 18:1)

As we come to God, all things are accomplished through earnest, persistent, and sincere prayers.  God knows what is in our hearts, therefore we must continue to pray that our hearts may be purged of the unrighteousness that dwells within.  We know, "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (Jas 1:15)

In our prayers to God, we must be persistent, and in being persistent, we must have faith, believing, that God hears us, and will answer.  We must not forget to give all praises, glory, and thanksgiving to God (Lk 11:9-10).

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea with the wind and tossed." (Jas 1:6)

"Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." (Mk 11:24)

Abraham learned of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and was persistent that God destroy not the righteous.  We know God answered Abraham's request, and delivered Lot and his family (Gen 18:23-32).

"Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." (Jas 5:17-18)

Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane very earnestly when he knew the soldiers were coming for him (Lk 22:44).

Therefore, let us come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need, totally depending on God, asking all things according to His will, for His glory (I Jn 5:14-15).

We must continue in prayer, being persistent in our requests to God, that we continue to abide in Him and in His words, knowing only then, can God abide in us.

Let us continue to strive, persevere, praying continually one for the other, that we may be able to endure all the trials and tribulations.  Let us walk hand in hand to the kingdom of God, in the oneness of God's Spirit, mind, and truth.