Godly Persistence

“I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” – Luke 11:9-11

 Eugène Burnand believed that art could be a teaching tool, conveying insights that could not just illustrate biblical stories, but also bring them to life. In particular, he applied these ideas to the parables of Jesus.

We see his approach in his treatment of the parable of the man who knocked on a neighbor’s door, hoping to get the bread he needed. The request came at midnight, an inconvenient time. At first, the neighbor just rejected the request. The door was shut. The neighbor said, “I cannot rise and give to you” (v. 7). But the man did not give up and kept knocking. Because of his persistence, he received everything he needed.

Burnand dedicated two paintings to this story, each in his familiar black-and-white style. These paintings don’t dazzle us with technique but do draw us into the story.

In the first painting, Burnand showed a man garbed in plain clothing, knocking at a door. The second painting is of a woman, praying, her Bible opened. She represents a person who applied the principles of the parable.

These illustrations help us realize that Jesus was teaching truths that apply to everyone – people of every background, anyone with a need who has the faith to seek God for answers.

These principles apply to you. Don’t give up if your prayers aren’t answered at first. Pray and keep praying. Keep seeking God for the answers you need. Keep knocking.

Reflection Question: Write a prayer for something you’ve been requesting from God for a long time.