Klaus and Michael: A Story of Persevering in Prayer

Klaus-Dieter John and Michael were best friends, and both Christians. Michael hadn't always been, but he had happily given his heart to the Saviour after attending church with Klaus. At the advice of Klaus' father,  Michael had begun reading his Bible regularly afterwards. Unfortunately, Michael's hot-tempered mother found out, and forbade him to associate with Klaus at all. It didn't help that the Johns were not members of the state churches, but rather a Baptist minority. Michael's mother was convinced that her son would return to "normal" if only he stayed away from Klaus and his family. Michael sadly related his mother's decision to his friend as they walked home from school one afternoon.

Naturally, this disheartened Klaus, but  he didn't sink into despondency over it. Instead, upon reaching home, he went into his room and closed the door. Grabbing his Bible, he read its interpretation of Luke 18:1-8. The KJV renders it this way:

"And He spake a parable unto them [to this end,] that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, 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 mine 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. And the Lord said, 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. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

After reading, Klaus kneeled down and prayed, telling GOD that this passage said that He heard people's prayers, and that he was asking GOD to change Michael's mother's mind so that he and Michael could hang out together like before.

 For two days, there seemed to be no change. Michael now took a different way home so as to avoid him, and Klaus didn't see him anymore, but that didn't deter Klaus; whenever he thought of it, he would pray and remind GOD of what He had said. On the third day, Michael was running to meet up with Klaus. All smiles, he said that his mother had told him to never mind about what she had said--he and Klaus could be friends once more!

Klaus was overjoyed, and as I read this account*, so was I. GOD does answer prayer, so long as we have persistence and faith. It should be noted that we can only gain these by waiting, and that is why, though GOD is more willing to answer us than the judge was the widow, He does not do so instantly. It is for our own good that we must do this.  And so, no matter how dark things look, don't give up! It may take three days, three weeks, three months, even three years, but if we keep on trusting and following Him, Jesus will answer our prayers in the best way possible--and in the meantime, we will receive the additional blessing of character refinement!

Blessings,
Jean

*Read it for yourself in Klaus-Dieter John: Hope in the Land of the Incas by Janet and Geoff Benge.