YHWH (with inserted vowels YAHWEH transliterated JEHOVAH commonly interpreted the LORD) gave dominion over the earth to mankind (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, we are to “make-up the hedge and stand in the gap” because we are the divine channel through which the LORD God exerts His power on the world. That is, God’s power through us. It is our own quality time with the LORD God by Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit that facilitates successful prayer. Edward McKendree Bounds describes that, for those who’ve exhibited great power: “God is the center of attraction, and prayer is the path that led to God.”1 The Living Word relays that we “pray the Father”, even as He prayed to the Father for Himself as well as us (Matthew 6:6,9; John 17:1-26).  

The Lord Jesus said, “Keep on asking and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

  • importune – To beset with persistent requests or demands; To ask for persistently or urgently; To annoy.
  • importunity – The act of importuning.2 

In teaching about the necessity of praying and neither stopping nor losing hope, the Lord Jesus taught via parable:  

 “. . . there was a judge, a thick-skinned and godless man who had no fear of others’ opinions. And in the same town there was a poor widow who kept pleading with the judge, ‘Grant me justice and protect me from my oppressor!’ He ignored her pleas for quite some time, but she kept asking. Eventually he said to himself, ‘This widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and I’m tired of listening to her. Even though I’m not a religious man, and I don’t care about the opinions of others, I’ll get her off my back by answering her claims for justice and I’ll rule in her favor. Then she’ll leave me alone.’ Jesus continued, ‘Did you hear what the godless judge said—that he would answer her persistent request? Don’t you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day? He will pour out his Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, in the same way as the widow.” Luke 18:1-8 (TPT)

Apostle Paul emphasized the significance of prayer in the armor of God: “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).” Ephesians 6:18 (AMPC)

James stated that “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16b (NLT)

Apostle Paul also relayed in his letter to the saints at Philippi, to be anxious for nothing “. . . in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (AMPC)   

The Living Word said, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 (NKJV) 

Howbeit, the Apostle John wrote: “. . . you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.” 1 John 5:13-15 (MSG)  

Faith is confidence that The Blessing of Abraham and the fullness thereof by the redemptive work of Christ Jesus – are the promises of God to which we may (free-will) say, “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20) because it’s already done through Christ Jesus (Revelation 5:12) and protected for us in the heavenly realm (1 Peter 1:4)  to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. For the good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) we produce is always to the honor and glory and praise to the LORD God, with thanksgiving in Jesus’ Name.  

Peace . . . Harriet 

1 Bounds, E.M. (New ed. 1982). Power Through Prayer. (p. 54). New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House.

2 Funk & Wagnalls. (1989). New International Dictionary of the English Language (Comprehensive Edition). World Publishers Guild, Inc.