An Opportunity for Importunity

Impudence in Prayer

Luk 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
Luk 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luk 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
Luk 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luk 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Having modeled a prayer for the disciples, and I dare say, us, Jesus then gives this tremendous parable. It is the story of the guy with the late night guest, who has the gall to go next door to ask for 3 loaves of bread at midnight. The neighbor is a bit put out by this request, but then capitulates because of the man's persistence.

Jesus uses the word "importunity" to describe the petitioner’s action. Now, that's not a word we use every day, but it is an action we ought to employ often.

It means impudence, more specifically, without bashfulness or modesty. In other words, God is inviting us to come boldly before His throne to make requests that might be embarrassing to witnesses.

When was the last time, as an undeserving sinner, you unashamedly petitioned Heaven for something so out of line that the people around you blushed at your brashness? That is what the Lord is giving you permission to do.

3 loaves of bread at midnight are no challenge for God. Healing a dread disease, providing a huge need, reviving a dead spirit, reuniting a severed relationship, these are the kinds of things the Lord joys in performing.

I challenge you to challenge God with your greatest needs. He would love to show Himself strong on your behalf if you will just live for Him, exercise some faith and give Him the glory.

This is your opportunity for importunity.