Unanswered?
God's timing is not determined by our expectations, and we must persevere and be importunate in prayer to receive an answer.
Charles E. Cowman, inspired by C. H. Spurgeon and Theodore L. Cuyler, emphasizes the importance of perseverance and importunity in prayer, comparing it to striking a flint to create a spark. He encourages believers to continue seeking God with faith and hope, trusting in His promises and timing for mercy. Cowman urges the congregation to never cease from petitioning God, even when His reply seems delayed, as a right prayer offered in a right spirit is never left unanswered in the history of God's kingdom.
Text
"Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:6, 7).
God's seasons are not at your beck. If the first stroke of the flint doth not bring forth the fire, you must strike again. God will hear prayer, but He may not answer it at the time which we in our minds have appointed; He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, but not just when and where we have settled in our own expectations. Hence the need of perseverance and importunity in supplication.
In the days of flint and steel and brimstone matches we had to strike and strike again, dozens of times, before we could get a spark to live in the tinder; and we were thankful enough if we succeeded at last.
Shall we not be as persevering and hopeful as to heavenly things? We have more certainty of success in this business than we had with our flint and steel, for we have God's promises at our back.
Never let us despair. God's time for mercy will come; yea, it has come, if our time for believing has arrived. Ask in faith nothing wavering; but never cease from petitioning because the King delays to reply. Strike the steel again. Make the sparks fly and have your tinder ready; you will get a light before long.
--C. H. Spurgeon
I do not believe that there is such a thing in the history of God's kingdom as a right prayer offered in a right spirit that is forever left unanswered. --Theodore L. Cuyler
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Seasons Are Not at Our Beck
- A. God's timing is not determined by our expectations
- B. We must persevere and be importunate in prayer
- II. The Need for Perseverance and Importunity
- A. We must strike again and again like flint and steel
- B. We have God's promises to back our prayers
- III. Never Let Us Despair
- A. God's time for mercy will come
- B. We must ask in faith and never cease petitioning
Key Quotes
“God will hear prayer, but He may not answer it at the time which we in our minds have appointed.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Strike the steel again. Make the sparks fly and have your tinder ready; you will get a light before long.” — Charles E. Cowman
“I do not believe that there is such a thing in the history of God's kingdom as a right prayer offered in a right spirit that is forever left unanswered.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We must persevere and be importunate in prayer, even when it seems like God is not answering.
- We have God's promises to back our prayers, and we must ask in faith and never cease petitioning.
- Never let us despair, and always strike again like flint and steel, for God's time for mercy will come.