Matthew Study 15:27

"... Yes, Lord, but..."

A "no" from the Lord may be the Lord's quirky invitation for another request.

Why are you so quick to stop asking for something after hearing his apparent "no" on any given matter? Do you think he may be saying "no" in order that you might ask him again? And, if so, would you think he enjoys hearing from you and he knows that a gentle "no" may raise us up to ask him again, and again, and again - if nothing more than for the sake of his desire to have Fellowship with you?

Do you not sometimes tease your children - knowing that the developing dialogue between the two of you will actually grow you into deeper relationship?  Even a dog, when hungry, will persistently bother its owner, even when the owner is apparently ignoring the whining canine.

God has designed prayer to be two-fold. Most importantly, it is an "avenue of relationship" between us and him. It is the one thing that links us to the Heart of God. Secondly - and perhaps a far second at that - it is for the fulfillment of his will. Many of us, however, get that backwards. We think that prayer is all about getting our lists covered and care little about the Person - his desire, opinion, personality - with whom we're petitioning.

God loves you so very much. His desire is to know you, to love you, to reveal himself to you. Prayer is not merely a matter or going through the motions. It is the ongoing dating relationship of two lovers.

Think of two lovers going to a restaurant. They walk in, sit down, read through the menus, and order. This is the shell of the evening, the perimeter of the prayer, so to speak. If not for the conversation - the laughter, thoughtfulness, sharing, and disclosure - happening within that event, it would be a flat evening. Sometimes (in a flirtatious way?) when a person infuses a bit of loving tension into a dialogue it actually brings the couple closer together.

In a similar manner, God asks questions - God pushes back - to make us think; in order to make us respond again, and again. We find ourselves clarifying, repeating what he said in order to really understand that what it was he said was what he really said.  These things are NOT designed to quench our faith but to build It. We would be silly to throw our napkin on the table, push ourselves back from the table in frustration, and leave him with the bill. His loving "push-backs" are designed to get us to press in deeper, to lean into the relationship and talk more, clarify more - and that, for the sake of Knowing the Beloved.

"You're kidding - right?" Or, Did I hear you say...?" Or, "Wait a minute... even the dogs get the crumbs from the table..."

And that's when the sparkle in his eyes brightens. For he has truly seen you; and you him. You are knowing one another as Husband and wife.

So - if only for the joy of having Jesus in your midst - be persistent in prayer. Who knows, your prayer may be answered, too!