Smith Wigglesworth, the famous [or, in some circles, infamous] "faith healer" is well known to have taught the controversial idea that to request something in prayer more than once is unbelief. Meaning, if you pray for something more than once you're demonstrating unbelief, or lack of faith, or are doubting. The implicit and tacit implication included in that teaching is that if you asked a previous time in faith, then when you ask again you're (also) nullifying all the previous times you prayed for it. While Wigglesworth might not have intended to sow doubt in other people's minds that praying more than once nullifies all previous times one has prayed for the desired thing, that's a logical implication of what he thought and taught. Something which some Christians have unfortunately fallen into. Such teaching actually causes doubt and interrupts faith. Presumably Wigglesworth based his idea that to pray repeatedly for something is unbelief or doubting on passages like the following:
Mark 11:22-24 KJV
[22] And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. [23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Matthew 21:21-22 KJV
[21] Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. [22] And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
But then there are other Bible passages that teach persistent, repeated and continual petitionary prayers/requests. Passages like the following:
Matthew 7:7-8 KJV [parallel in Luke 11:9-10]
[7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 18:1-8 KJV
[1] And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; [2] saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: [3] and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. [4] And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; [5] yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. [6] And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. [7] And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? [8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Which is it? Presumably some atheists might see this as a contradiction in Jesus' teachings. The solution is fairly obvious. So, instead of typing out a solution myself, I asked a number of Artificial Intelligences to solve the dilemma and apparent contradiction.
I ASKED:
Is it a contradiction when, on the one hand Jesus taught that when we ask something in prayer we are to believe we received it [e.g. Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22-24], yet on the other hand Jesus said we are to keep asking, seeking and knocking continually [e.g. Matt. 7:7-8ff.; Luke 11:9-10ff.; Luke 18:1-8]? In the first group of examples of Jesus' teachings it implies you only need to pray once. In the second group it implies repeated prayers or requests.
ChatGPT WROTE:
That's a thoughtful and insightful question—and it’s one that many believers and theologians have wrestled with. At first glance, Jesus’ teachings on prayer in those passages can appear contradictory, but when examined more closely in context, they complement each other rather than conflict.
Summary of the Two Teachings:
-
Faith-filled, confident asking (e.g., Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 21:22):
Jesus emphasizes believing that you have received what you ask for, and praying with unwavering faith. -
Persistent, persevering asking (e.g., Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:5-10, Luke 18:1-8):
Jesus encourages continual seeking and asking, highlighting persistence in prayer.
Reconciling the Two:
Rather than being contradictory, these teachings address two dimensions of prayer:
faith and persistence. Here's how they can be understood together:
1. Persistent Prayer Is Not Incompatible with Faith
Jesus is not saying in the "ask and keep asking" passages that repeated prayers indicate doubt. Rather, persistence is often the expression of faith. You persist because you believe God hears you and will act—even if not immediately.
Luke 18:1 says Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow “so that they would always pray and not give up.” The widow’s repeated petitions weren’t because she doubted justice would be done—it was because she trusted justice would come, eventually.
2. “Believe You Have Received It” Is About the Attitude of Faith, Not Instant Results
In Mark 11:24, Jesus isn’t saying the moment you pray you’ll always see immediate results. Rather, He’s saying that when you pray, your heart posture should be one of confidence in God’s power and goodness, believing that your request is already granted in God’s sovereign will—even if the fulfillment is delayed.
This aligns with Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
3. Different Types of Prayer Situations
These teachings may address different contexts or types of prayer:
-
For some things (e.g., miracles, healing, mountain-moving faith), Jesus calls for decisive, bold prayer with unwavering belief.
-
For other situations (e.g., justice, long-term needs, the coming of the Kingdom), persistent prayer is appropriate because God's timing may be different, and the process may be drawn out.
4. Persistent Prayer Forms Us Spiritually
Persistent prayer does more than change circumstances—it forms the person praying. Jesus’ call to “keep knocking” isn't just about getting something; it's about growing in dependence on God, aligning our hearts with His will, and developing a consistent relationship with Him.
Conclusion:
There is no contradiction—only a fuller picture of the spiritual dynamics of prayer:
-
Jesus teaches that we should pray with faith, believing in God's power and goodness.
-
He also teaches us to persist in prayer, not because God is reluctant, but because prayer is part of our relationship with Him and His timing may require endurance.
In essence: believe like it’s already done, but persevere like it hasn’t happened yet.
DUCK.AI WROTE:
🤔 Exploring the Apparent Contradiction in Jesus' Teachings on Prayer
The teachings of Jesus regarding prayer can indeed seem contradictory at first glance, but a deeper examination reveals a more nuanced understanding of faith and persistence in prayer.
📖 Understanding the Teachings
Believing You Have Received (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:22-24):
- In these passages, Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith in prayer. The idea is that when you pray, you should have confidence that God hears you and that your request aligns with His will. This faith is crucial for effective prayer.
Asking, Seeking, and Knocking (Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; Luke 18:1-8):
- Here, Jesus encourages persistence in prayer. The repeated action of asking, seeking, and knocking suggests that prayer is not just a one-time event but a continual process. This persistence reflects a deepening relationship with God and an acknowledgment of His timing and sovereignty.
🔍 Reconciling the Two Teachings
| ASPECT | BELIEVING YOU HAVE RECEIVED | ASKING, SEEKING, AND KNOCKING |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Prayer | Faith-based, confident request | Persistent, ongoing communication |
| Focus | Trust in God's provision | Relationship and dependence on God |
| Outcome | Assurance of receiving what is asked for | Growth in faith and understanding of God's will |
| Context | Aligning with God's will | Understanding God's timing and purpose |
Faith and Persistence: The two teachings can be seen as complementary rather than contradictory. Faith is essential when making a request, but persistence in prayer can also be a demonstration of that faith. It shows trust in God's timing and a willingness to engage in a relationship with Him.
God's Will and Timing: Sometimes, the answer to prayer may not come immediately or in the way we expect. The act of continually asking can help us align our desires with God's will and prepare us to receive His answer, whatever it may be.
Spiritual Growth: Repeated prayer can lead to spiritual growth. It allows individuals to reflect on their requests, understand their motivations, and deepen their relationship with God.
💡 Conclusion
In summary, the teachings of Jesus on prayer highlight both the necessity of faith and the importance of persistence. Rather than viewing them as contradictory, they can be understood as two sides of the same coin, encouraging believers to trust in God while also engaging in a dynamic and ongoing conversation with Him. This approach fosters a deeper relationship and a more profound understanding of His will in our lives.
META AI WROTE:
The two groups of teachings from Jesus might seem contradictory at first glance, but they can be understood as complementary aspects of a deeper spiritual principle.
*Believing in the Answer:*
- *Faith and Certainty*: When Jesus teaches that we should believe we have received what we ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:22-24), he's emphasizing the importance of faith and certainty in God's provision.
- *Trust in God's Sovereignty*: This approach encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, recognizing that He is able and willing to provide for our needs.
*Persistent Prayer:*
- *Persistence and Dependence*: On the other hand, when Jesus teaches us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Luke 18:1-8), he's emphasizing the importance of persistence and dependence on God.
- *Relationship and Communication*: This approach encourages us to cultivate a deepening relationship with God, recognizing that prayer is not just about getting answers, but also about communing with our Heavenly Father.
*Reconciling the Two:*
- *Context and Purpose*: The context and purpose of prayer can help reconcile these seemingly contradictory teachings. In some cases, a single prayer with faith and certainty might be sufficient, while in other cases, persistent prayer might be necessary to align our hearts with God's will or to demonstrate our dependence on Him.
- *Paradox and Tension*: The Bible often presents paradoxes and tensions that require a nuanced understanding. In this case, the tension between believing in the answer and persistent prayer might reflect the complexity of our relationship with God, where faith, trust, and dependence are all essential.
Ultimately, Jesus' teachings on prayer invite us to cultivate a deep and multifaceted relationship with God, trusting in His sovereignty while also persisting in prayer and communion with Him.
GROK AI WROTE:
- Faith in Prayer (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22–24): These verses emphasize the importance of faith when making a request to God. Jesus teaches that when you pray, you should trust God’s power and will to answer, believing that He is capable of granting what you ask. The focus is on the quality of faith, not the frequency of the prayer. It’s about approaching God with confidence in His ability to act, rather than doubting or wavering.
- Persistence in Prayer (Matt. 7:7–8; Luke 11:9–10; Luke 18:1–8): These passages highlight the importance of perseverance in prayer. Jesus encourages continual asking, seeking, and knocking, as seen in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8), which illustrates the value of steadfastness. This persistence doesn’t negate faith but demonstrates trust in God’s timing and sovereignty, even when answers are delayed. It also reflects a heart that remains engaged with God, seeking His will through ongoing communion.
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