26 Jan “Importunate”

I learned something about myself last week from one of my daily devotionals. I’m “importunate.” I had never heard the word before. It means persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion. Yeah, that’s me. Before 2016, my importunity was on my own behalf. I had an obscene sense of entitlement, and I made sure everyone in my orbit knew that I deserved what I wanted, and I would demand it until I got it.

These days, I tend to be importunate on behalf of those in need. I’ve discovered people are far more patient with the importunate when they are persistent on behalf of others. It’s used in that fashion the sole time it appears in scripture, in noun form (The NIV says “shameless audacity”): 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. Luke 11:8 KJV)

Luke 11 begins with Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray, sharing with them what has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” After that instruction He immediately follows with:

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. Luke 11:5-8 (NIV)

I think it’s important to note that Jesus’ example comes immediately after prayer instruction and is of someone asking on behalf of another, not for themselves. I am importunate when working with agencies, courts and others on behalf of those in need. And I have little doubt I have been annoying at times. But am I equally importunate in my prayers for others.

Do I ask God to heal the addiction of others the way the neighbor asked for bread for a guest? Do I knock and knock and knock for God to end someone’s homelessness, despair, anxiety, anger, hunger, loneliness? Or am I only importunate with others as I try to fix those problems myself, rather than trusting God and being importunate with Him? The devotional I mentioned shared this D. L. Moody quote:

Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The only way to trouble God is not to come at all. He encourages us to come to Him repeatedly, and press our claims. From D. L. Moody’s “Prevailing Prayer.”

Moody was referring to Matthew 7:7: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Annoyance is a human emotion. It doesn’t apply to God. Are you frustrated because God hasn’t answered your prayers on behalf of someone else? Have they been passionate, even fervent, heartfelt, importunate prayers? For someone to come to Christ, or be healed, or both? Whether you call it importunity or shameless audacity, God may be waiting for you to give it all you’ve got. Why don’t you give it a try right now?

Pastor Jerry Bader