It’s not insulting to be demanding with God. Some Christians, in a desire to be humble, turn all of their prayers into question marks, into soul-numbing, expecting-little “God willings.” But there are times when your prayers should be much bolder. There are times when you should be demanding with God.

Think of the strange night when Jacob wrestled with God, who was disguised as a man: “Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” (Genesis 32:26). Jacob wouldn’t let God race off to his morning appointment. Instead, his fingers clamped onto God’s arms. With a dislocated hip, Jacob had to be clinging desperately to him. Yet in that desperation, Jacob demanded, “Don’t you even think about walking away until you do something good for me.” And God did. Instead of being insulted, he was honored. Jacob was clinging to God’s promise, believing that God could not lie like his mother, Rebekah, or his Uncle Laban. Jacob believed God was faithful.

God is faithful to you too. What God said about being with you right now has to be true (Matthew 28:20). What he said about working out all things for your good, even that painful thing, has to be true (Romans 8:28). What he said about forgiving all of your sins, not just the ones people talk about at Bible study, has to be true (1 John 1:9). So cling to God. Insist on his character. Refuse to let him go until he blesses you.