Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8653 importunity, towards God

8653 importunity, towards God

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8600 Prayer and worship of the believer » 8652 importunity » 8653 importunity, towards God

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 88:1,9; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:5

Matthew 7:7-8 pp Luke 11:9-10 Luke 18:1 See also Luke 18:2-8

Faithfulness in prayer

Ephesians 6:18 See also Romans 1:9-10; Colossians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2 Timothy 1:3

Earnestness in prayer

Psalm 119:58; Psalm 130:1-2 See also Psalm 55:1-2; Psalm 61:1-2; Jonah 3:8

Luke 22:44 See also Hebrews 5:7

Boldness in prayer

Genesis 18:27; Luke 11:8 See also Exodus 33:12-16

Confidence in prayer:

Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16

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 pp Mark 7:25-30 a Canaanite woman begs for Jesus Christ's help; Matthew 20:30-31 pp Mark 10:47-48 pp Luke 18:38-39 Blind men call out to Jesus Christ; Matthew 26:44 Jesus Christ prays in Gethsemane; Mark 5:10 pp 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 pp 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 pp 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.