The term "importunate" refers to persistent and insistent behavior, often to the point of being troublesome or demanding. In a biblical context, importunity is seen as a positive trait when it comes to prayer and seeking God's intervention. The concept is closely associated with perseverance and faith, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in one's spiritual life.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 11:5-8 · In this passage, Jesus tells the parable of the friend at midnight to illustrate the power of persistent prayer. The account describes a man who goes to his friend's house at midnight to ask for bread. Despite the inconvenience, the friend eventually gives in due to the man's persistence. Jesus uses this parable to teach that if a reluctant friend can be moved by importunity, how much more will God, who is loving and just, respond to the persistent prayers of His children. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs."

2. Luke 18:1-8 · Another parable that highlights the virtue of importunity is the parable of the persistent widow. Jesus tells of a widow who repeatedly approaches an unjust judge, seeking justice against her adversary. Despite his initial reluctance, the judge eventually grants her request due to her persistence. Jesus concludes by emphasizing that God will bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night. The BSB records: "And will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?"

Theological Implications:

Importunity in prayer is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's character and promises. It reflects a deep reliance on God and a recognition of His sovereignty and goodness. The Bible encourages believers to be persistent in their prayers, not because God is reluctant to answer, but because persistence develops a deeper relationship with Him and aligns the believer's heart with His will.

Practical Application:

For Christians, importunity is a call to remain steadfast in prayer, even when answers are not immediately forthcoming. It is an encouragement to trust in God's timing and to continue seeking His guidance and provision. This persistent approach to prayer is not about wearing God down but about cultivating a heart that is fully dependent on Him.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, many Christian leaders and theologians have emphasized the importance of importunate prayer. Figures such as Augustine, Martin Luther, and Charles Spurgeon have all highlighted the necessity of perseverance in prayer as a vital aspect of the Christian life. Their teachings reinforce the biblical principle that God honors the prayers of those who earnestly and persistently seek Him.

In summary, importunity is a biblical principle that underscores the importance of persistent prayer and unwavering faith. It is a testament to the believer's trust in God's faithfulness and a reminder of the power of prayer in the life of a Christian.1. (a.) Troublesomely urgent; overpressing in request or demand; as, an importunate petitioner.

2. (a.) Hard to be borne; unendurable.

The Importunate Widow.
... XXVIII. THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW. ... But the priests and people were, like this widow,
very importunate and persevering. "Crucify him, crucify him," they cried. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxviii the importunate widow.htm

The Importunate Widow Lk 18:1-7
... LUKE Hymn 106 The importunate widow Lk 18:1-7. John Newton 6,6,8,6. The importunate
widow [13] Lk 18:1-7. Our Lord, who knows full well. The heart of every saint ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 106 the importunate widow.htm

The Parables of the Importunate Widow, and of the Pharisee and the ...
... Chapter XXXVI."The Parables of the Importunate Widow, and of the Pharisee and the
Publican Christ's Answer to the Rich Ruler, the Cure of the Blind Man. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxxvi the parables of the.htm

Parable of the Importunate Widow.
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany. (Time: One Year Less
One Week.) XCVI. Parable of the Importunate Widow. ^C Luke 18:1-8. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcvi parable of the importunate.htm

Exhortation to Watch for Christ's Coming (Luke, xii. , 36-48): to ...
... Section 215. Exhortation to Watch for Christ's Coming (Luke, xii., 36-48): to
Confidence in the Divine Justice."The importunate Widow. (Luke, xviii., 1.). ...
/.../section 215 exhortation to watch.htm

Prayer and Importunity (Continued)
... Importunate praying is the earnest, inward movement of the heart toward God. ...
Importunate praying has patience to wait and strength to continue. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vii prayer and importunity continued.htm

The Insistency of Prayer
... The Insistency of Prayer In all I have said I have implied that prayer should be
strenuously importunate. ... Prayer is not really a power till it is importunate. ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter vii the insistency of.htm

Prayer and Importunity
... Importunate prayer is a mighty movement of the soul toward God. It is a stirring
of the deepest forces of the soul, toward the throne of heavenly grace. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ...
... God loves importunate prayer so much that He will not give us much blessing
without it. ... All things can be done by importunate prayer. ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vi nothing is impossible.htm

The Man who Knocked at Midnight
... opened unto you.". 1. Our Lord Himself was often like that importunate
poor man, out at midnight, knocking for bread. When He was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xiv the man who knocked.htm

Importunate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Troublesomely urgent; overpressing in request
or demand; as, an importunate petitioner. ...Importunate (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/importunate.htm - 6k

Imported (9 Occurrences)

/i/imported.htm - 9k

Instant (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest. 3. (a.) Closely pressing or impending
in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay. ...
/i/instant.htm - 13k

Importunity (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The quality of being importunate; pressing or pertinacious solicitation; urgent
request; incessant or frequent application; troublesome pertinacity. Int. ...
/i/importunity.htm - 7k

Importune (1 Occurrence)

/i/importune.htm - 7k

Important (39 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Bearing on; forcible; driving. 4. (vt) Importunate; pressing; urgent.
Multi-Version Concordance Important (39 Occurrences). ...
/i/important.htm - 18k

Forum (1 Occurrence)
... i.5) offers a lively picture of the discomforts of the trip, mentioning the importunate
inn-keepers and intolerable drinking water at Appii Forum, the gnats ...
/f/forum.htm - 9k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... Version not the Revised Version (British and American)) Job 11:6 (but see below);
Psalm 89:22), to demand interest, to be a harsh and importunate creditor, a ...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Pressing (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Press. 2. (a.) Urgent; exacting; importunate; as, a pressing
necessity. Multi-Version Concordance Pressing (16 Occurrences). ...
/p/pressing.htm - 11k

Bark (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To make a clamor; to make importunate outcries. 7. (n.) The short, loud,
explosive sound uttered by a dog; a similar sound made by some other animals. ...
/b/bark.htm - 8k

What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org

Importunate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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