During the three and one-half years from Jesus’ anointing to his death, we have no record of him ever commending any of his disciples for their faith. Instead, we have several incidents where he points out their glaring lack of faith. The only times we see Jesus identifying and applauding people’s faith are in the accounts of the Syro-Phonecian woman and the roman centurion, both of which were outside the realm of his immediate ministry (the jewish nation)!

In both cases, they are reacting to Jesus with utter selfless humility. The Syro-Phonecian woman takes absolutely no issue with Jesus comparing her (along with all non-Jews at that moment before his crucifixion) to a dog. Jesus spells it out for her that the miracles he is sent to work are the children’s bread. Jesus’ primary focus is on the direct and primary recipients he has been anointed to serve: his own people the Jews. These are the children, and the dogs don’t get what is intended for the children.

The Syro-Phonecian woman embraces this seemingly derogatory and excluding label, and by faith responds in a way that utterly surprises Jesus and immediately qualifies her to receive what was not originally intended for her! In effect she tells the Lord “call me a dog, I still know you have what I need.” This is a perfect example of the prayer of importunity Jesus taught about and opened the door to; this is a bold asking that has no self-consciousness and will not be denied.

This is how our God wants us to engage him. He never asked anybody to be his spin machine; to be waffling spokesmen who can take terrible situations and somehow make them “God’s will.” Instead he’s taught us specifically how we should always pray and not give up. He’s given us example after example of prevailing prayer, of godly men and women who had power with God.