Wesley Corpus

"Though he will not give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." How could our blessed Lord more plainly declare that we may receive of God, by this means--by importunately asking--what otherwise we should not receive at all? 4. "He spake also another parable, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint," till through this means they should receive of God whatsoever petition they asked: "There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest, by her continual coming, she weary me." (Luke 18:1-5.) Our Lord Himself applied this: "Hear what the unjust judge saith! Because she continues to ask, because she will take no denial, therefore I will avenge her. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? I tell you he will avenge them speedily," if they pray and faint not. 5. A direction equally full and express, to wait for God's blessings in private prayer, with a positive promise that by this means we shall obtain our lips' request, is given in these well-known words: "Enter into thy closet, and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matt. 6:6.) 6. If any direction could be more clear, it's that God gave us through the Apostle, regarding prayer of every kind, public or private, and the blessing annexed: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally," (if they ask; otherwise "ye have not, because ye ask not," (James 4:2,)) "and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5).