Keep Asking

His son was very sick. In fact, he was at death’s door. But the desperate father, who was part of a royal family, came and humbled himself before Jesus Christ. He begged Jesus to touch his dear son.

Jesus’s response, however, was quite unusual: “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” (John 4:48 NLT).

Now, what kind of thing is that to say to a desperate dad who simply wanted his son to be healed? The fact is that Jesus wasn’t really addressing the father. He actually was addressing the fickle crowd that had come to be entertained. They came to see a sign, a miracle, something to dazzle them.

Meanwhile, this persistent dad stood there, waiting. He wouldn’t give up. He said, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies” (verse 49 NLT).

But Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” (verse 50 NLT).

So why not just respond to this father immediately? Jesus wanted to draw him out. He wanted to teach him that sometimes we need to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. And sometimes, because we won’t be persistent in our prayers, we don’t see them answered in the affirmative.

What looks like a barrier at times actually may be a bridge. So don’t give up. Jesus said, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NLT).

Yet God will allow tests in our lives to see if we will press on and not give up. Are you willing to pray for other people to come to the Lord? Are you willing to pray with persistence for the Lord to answer the prayer that you’re bringing before Him?