A profitable walk with God is impossible without persuasion. The writer of Hebrews makes this clear: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV. It is of no use calling on a God you don’t believe exists nor has the power to come through for you. It is this issue of persuasion that we mentioned in our previous meditation when we learned about the leper. He was persuaded about the ability of Jesus that He could cleanse him. Abraham, too, did not take delivery of the promised son until he got to the point of persuasion. “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:21-22 KJV

Effective prayer is preceded by full persuasion in the heart… Those who come to God with strong persuasion will never be disappointed.

Effective prayer is preceded by full persuasion in the heart. So, when Jesus taught on the Mount, He tried to shore up people’s persuasion in God. He told them to ask and they would receive. He went further to appeal to their senses. If children ask their natural fathers for bread, they won’t answer by giving them a stone. Neither will they give serpent to those who ask for fish. He then concluded with the thought in our text. If natural fathers know how to give good things to their children, the Heavenly Father, who is without any constraint, will do much more. Those who come to God with strong persuasion will never be disappointed.