Note.—The importunate widow got her request because of her persistency. God wants us to seek Him, and to seek Him earnestly, when we pray. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Heb. 11:6.
8. How did Elijah pray before obtaining his request?
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:17, 18. See Rev. 11:3-6.
9. Upon what condition does Christ say we shall receive?
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24.
10. Without this faith, will God answer prayer?
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” James 1:6, 7.
11. What petitions may we confidently expect God to hear?
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14, 15.
Note.—God's will is expressed in His law, His promises, and His Word. Ps. 40:8; Rom. 2:17,18; 1 Peter 1:4.