-7] One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. [2] “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. [3] A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ [4] The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, [5] but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” [6] Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?

-8] Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

b] The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

] And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

] Be still, and know that I am God!

] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere