I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV One of the perplexing aspects of prayer is not knowing what to do in the period between the ask and the answer. That phase, commonly referred to as waiting on the Lord, is so critical …
“If you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” Luke 11:8
One of the virtues of prayer that Jesus specifically encouraged was that of persistence. He gave illustrations to drive this important truth home by telling parables about such people as the audacious friend needing bread at midnight and persistent widow badgering the unjust judge. (Luke 11:5-9 & Luke 18:1-5)
While initially God’s silence or seeming lack of response to our prayers may appear to be a “no”, it typically is more like a “not yet.” Timing, as they say, is everything and there is with God a mystery in His ways that requires an attitude of dependently waiting upon Him for the answer. The preparation process in delivering an answer is as much, if not more about what He is doing in us as it is about what He plans on doing for us.
The one practice which I have found to be the most helpful in praying persistent prayers over the long haul is that of turning His promises into prayers. Here are some practical tips, by no means original with me, for doing that.
Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, has said that “90% of success is just lasting.” There is indeed much to be said for persistence. Persistence more often than not is the determining factor between victory and defeat, between breakthrough and stalemate. This is always poignantly displayed in the back story of Olympic champions, business …
Persistent is the adjective of those who prevail Read More »
