“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1, NIV) “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11–13, NIV)
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1, NIV)
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11–13, NIV)
Shalom! Child of God, welcome. Let’s explore the Scriptures together. I trust that today you will learn a fresh insight that will deepen your prayer life.
Imagine this scene: Two twin children sneak out with their rich father and each asks for something extraordinary. The first says, “Dad, I saw a really nice pair of trousers in the store please buy them for me.” The other says, “Dad, I saw a large airplane flying overhead. Please buy one for me so I can fly it myself.”
Which request do you think will get answered quicker?
Clearly, the one who asked for trousers might have his request fulfilled immediately maybe even that same day. But the second child, though he asked at the same time and was heard at the same time (both were promised by the father), might wait years. Why? Because what he asked for carries greater responsibility and requires preparation.
Even though the father has the means to buy the plane right away, he knows his child isn’t ready: no knowledge of flight, no prior training, no small-plane experience. He must first send him to school, have him study science and geography, train him with smaller aircraft, and maybe twenty years later he can receive his own plane. During that time, what the father focuses on is equipping the child good teachers, books, courses so that the child can meet the goal.
Likewise, our Lord Jesus told us to always pray and not lose heart. It doesn’t mean God is ignoring us or taking pleasure in seeing us struggle. No it means He has heard us and is preparing a testimony greater than we could imagine.
You might have been praying for a long time for healing, or restoration, or a breakthrough, and nothing seems to happen. Meanwhile you see others with seemingly bigger problems receiving instant answers and you wonder, “What did I do wrong?”
You did nothing wrong. You were heard the moment you prayed. But the weight of what you prayed for is greater. It needs more preparation and maturity. So don’t lose heart.
Consider the story of Lazarus. He was very sick, perhaps with a long‑term illness. He was a close friend of Jesus. Yet despite seeing many healings around him, his own condition worsened to the point he couldn’t even leave his bed. His sisters sent for Jesus: come quickly and heal him. But Jesus stayed two more days. When He finally arrived, Lazarus had died. Then Jesus resurrected him (John 11). The question is: Why the delay?
The answer: the timing was part of the plan. The miracle that followed wasn’t simply to heal someone it was to reveal the glory of God and turn many to faith. The delay didn’t mean God didn’t care. It meant something far greater was being prepared.
So when Jesus says we should always pray and not give up, He is not saying we are ignored. He is saying: “I’ve heard you. I’m making something great out of this.” And the key to it is this:
The one thing the Lord desires us to ask for without giving up is the Holy Spirit.
It’s not ignorance to pray for health, provision, or success these are legitimate. But there is one request that surpasses them all. One that when fulfilled is like the child asking for the airplane instead of just the trousers. It’s the receiving of the Holy Spirit the One who equips us, empowers us, transforms us.
Jesus taught:
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9, NIV) … “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, NIV)
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9, NIV)
…
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, NIV)
Notice that Jesus didn’t say “I’ll give you wealth” or “I’ll give you health” — He said our Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. That shows us how vital this gift is.
Why does this matter?
Receiving the Spirit is not simply speaking in tongues or a one‑time event (though it may include those). It means asking, receiving, and continuing to live under His empowerment. It means growing in the Spirit, allowing Him to shape you, equip you, prepare you for the mission God has for you, just like John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, and the apostles all experienced.
So, let’s not give up. Keep asking God. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Even if you don’t see the answer right away, know this: God has heard you. He is preparing you. He is aligning everything for the right moment.
Ask for the Holy Spirit. Persist in that prayer. Hold on. The request you carry may be heavier and far more glorious than you realise but that means it’s worth waiting for.
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:17‑18, NIV)
May you be blessed richly, and may you be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
Shalom.
Print this post
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ