What is the balance in prayer between praying persistently for something (Luke 11:8) and praying with such faith (lack of doubt) that you don't even feel you need to keep praying about a certain matter (Romans 14:23)?
It's confusing to know how to pray. Luke 11:8 seems to say we should keep praying until we receive an answer, but then I've heard we should not doubt and simply pray and believe without continuing to ask (Romans 14:23). Is one way better than another? Is there a balance?
Luke 11:8
ESV - 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
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Asked September 10 2017
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Gregory Jones
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Danny Hickman
Romans 14:23 is not about having faith in or doubting your prayers. From verse one to the last verse of the chapter the word prayer doesn't appear. He says nothing about prayer.
This is about eating and drinking food that some at that time was offensive. He also talks about honoring days or considering days to be of no real value one way or the other. This was far more an issue then than it is now. The doubting he talks about is about making up your mind one way or the other, and letting others do the same. When you make up your mind do it by faith, not doubting your decision. If you read it in context you'll see that he says the kingdom of God is much more than days, or eating and drinking. God let's us decide about such things on a personal basis. Prayer is never mentioned.