Jesus told his disciples two parables about how to persevere in prayer and
do not give up (Luk 18:1):
The persistent widow
Jesus told this parable: There was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow who continually came to him with the plea that he would give her justice against her adversary. For a time he refused. But at last he said to himself that though he didn't fear God or respected any man, yet as this widow continued to trouble him, he would give her justice, so that she wouldn't
beat him down by her constant coming. (Luk 18:2–5).
Jesus then told them to listen to what the unjust judge said. God will give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night. God will see to it that they get justice quickly. (Luk 18:6–8a).
God is the opposite of this judge. God isn't tired of us coming to him in prayer. He cares about us. If this ungodly judge gives justice to a poor widow, how much more will our God give his children their justice. We may all be tempted to give up in our prayers, but we shouldn't give up. It takes faith to persevere in prayer (Luk 18:8b).
Persistent prayer
Jesus also said: Suppose you have a friend and you go to him at midnight and ask him to lend you three loaves because a friend of yours has come to you and you have no food to offer him. Assume then that the one inside responds not to be disturbed. Although he won't give you the bread because of friendship,
he will because of your shameless persistence. (Luk 11:5–8).
Jesus then said: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
(Mat 7:7–8, Luk 11:9–10).
And Jesus said: "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Mat 7:9–11, Luk 11:11–13).
We should pray and keep on praying, until we break through (Col 4:2). But it shouldn't be a religious exercise. Our prayer time is too often too short. As earthly fathers are willing to do good things for their children when they ask, so much more can we expect our Heavenly Father to bless us when we ask him for help in our prayers. God answers prayers.
See also Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.
For information on other parables, see Jesus' Parables.
