Earnestness and perseverance in presenting requests to God on behalf of oneself and others; seen in persistent pleading, faithful intercession and bold appeal.
Perseverance in prayer
Persistence in prayer
Psalm 55:17 See also Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 86:3, Psalm 88:1, Psalm 88:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:5Matthew 7:7–8 parallel Luke 11:9–10Luke 18:1 See also Luke 18:2–8
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
Faithfulness in prayer
Ephesians 6:18 See also Romans 1:9–10; Colossians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3; 2 Timothy 1:3
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Earnestness in prayer
Psalm 119:58, Psalm 130:1–2 See also Psalm 55:1–2, Psalm 61:1–2; Jonah 3:8Luke 22:44 See also Hebrews 5:7
I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.
And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Boldness in prayer
Genesis 18:27; Luke 11:8 See also Exodus 33:12–16EPH Exodus 3:12; Hebrews 4:16
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord— though I am but dust and ashes—
I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
Further examples of importunity in prayer
Repeated requests in prayer
Genesis 18:22–32 Abraham prays for Sodom; Judges 6:36–40 Gideon asks for assurance; Matthew 15:22–28 parallel Mark 7:25–30 a Canaanite woman begs for Jesus Christ's help; Matthew 20:30–31 parallels Mark 10:47–48, Luke 18:38–39 Blind men call out to Jesus Christ; Matthew 26:44 Jesus Christ prays in Gethsemane; Mark 5:10 parallel Luke 8:31 Legion begs for mercy; 2 Corinthians 12:8 Paul pleads with God to take away his “thorn”.
Further examples of perseverance in prayer
Genesis 32:26 Jacob wrestles with God; Deuteronomy 9:18 Moses fasts and prays because of Israel's sin; 2 Samuel 12:16 David pleads for his sick child; 1 Kings 18:28–29 The prophets of Baal appeal unsuccessfully to their god; Nehemiah 1:4–6 Nehemiah prays for God's people; Daniel 10:2–3 Daniel waits for the interpretation of his vision; Luke 2:37 Anna looks for God to redeem his people.
Further examples of earnestness in prayer
1 Samuel 1:12–16 Hannah prays for a child; 1 Kings 8:22 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:12 Solomon prays at the dedication of the Temple; James 5:17–18 Elijah prays for rain to cease; Ezra 9:5 Ezra prays about the people's sin; Isaiah 38:2–3 Hezekiah prays for healing; Daniel 9:3 Daniel prays for Jerusalem; Mark 5:22–23 parallel Luke 8:41–42 Jairus asks Jesus Christ to heal his daughter; John 4:47 A nobleman begs Jesus Christ to heal his son; Acts 12:5 The early church prays for Peter's release from prison.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.