There is something about persistence—it feels nagging, tiresome, and even boring to most of us. On the contrary, it is the secret behind most success stories you see on television and on social media.
Discipline always beats talent.
A one-time intense prayer is surely powerful, but a person who is persistent in prayer always ends up getting more out of prayer.
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,[b]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will[c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily…
I thought God hears us when we pray to Him, even once?
Oh yes, He does. But does the answer come immediately sometimes? Yet sometimes we need the answer instantly. Why, then, do you get disappointed for not having your prayers answered?
Can God ever fail to answer a single request we have of Him? Or do you give up so soon without even hearing what He has to say about the matter?
What does Jesus say in the last line?
“I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.” He is the quickener. Many Christians pray and stop there; they don’t even bother to listen or to hear what His Spirit has to say. And they still wonder why their prayers remain unanswered.
The Midnight Request
Don’t ever feel too shy or scared to ask God, your Father, for anything. If it is in His will, there will definitely be an answer.
Have a look at this parable in Luke 11:5-8
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you,though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
And so it is today: those who are shameless and bold in continuing to push for a matter in prayer end up getting their prayers answered.
As He puts it in Matthew 7:7-10
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
There is a famous saying I picked up from a book—I’m sure even you have heard or read it online—which says: If you are going to go, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t start at all.
The Persistence of Jesus
If Jesus Himself persisted in a matter three times while in prayer, then who are you not to?
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, [h]if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Many Christians wonder why some of them remain poor yet a few keep prospering? Lets find out how to become successful, the kingdom way here
