Persistent Prayer

#1 · June 17, 2004, 12:34 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on June 17, 2004, 12:34 pm
Posted by: Asn <Asn@...>

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!' He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, "I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice--otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding.'" Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" Luke 18:1-8 The Message

Do you ever get tempted to just give up? We all do. We are accustomed in our society to quick fixes. Situations arise, play out and are solved in 60 minutes or less on our television screens every day. Buy it today, get it delivered tonight, and don't pay a penny for one full year.

Sadly, this mentality invades our faith, as well. If we're not in and out of church in one hour or less, God has inconveniently taken too much of our time. If God doesn't come through with the miracle we asked for - exactly as we defined it - by the end of the day, He's simply not listening. Maybe this one is just too big for Him. The bible tells us it is necessary to pray consistently and never quit. It is faith that gets God's attention - not needs, not demands, not tears, but faith (see Mark 6:3-6). Do you believe God for specific things? Are you putting Him in remembrance of His Word regarding your situation? Are you mixing faith with persistent prayer? Don't give up! God will not drag His feet, but He will answer in His own time. Can He find persistent faith in you?

Gracious Father, please forgive my unbelief. Forgive me for asking why You haven't done it yet, rather than simply trusting You to do it. You are a just and faithful God. I choose to trust You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Posted by: Asn <Asn@...>

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!' He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, "I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice--otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding.'" Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" Luke 18:1-8 The Message

Do you ever get tempted to just give up? We all do. We are accustomed in our society to quick fixes. Situations arise, play out and are solved in 60 minutes or less on our television screens every day. Buy it today, get it delivered tonight, and don't pay a penny for one full year.

Sadly, this mentality invades our faith, as well. If we're not in and out of church in one hour or less, God has inconveniently taken too much of our time. If God doesn't come through with the miracle we asked for - exactly as we defined it - by the end of the day, He's simply not listening. Maybe this one is just too big for Him. The bible tells us it is necessary to pray consistently and never quit. It is faith that gets God's attention - not needs, not demands, not tears, but faith (see Mark 6:3-6). Do you believe God for specific things? Are you putting Him in remembrance of His Word regarding your situation? Are you mixing faith with persistent prayer? Don't give up! God will not drag His feet, but He will answer in His own time. Can He find persistent faith in you?

Gracious Father, please forgive my unbelief. Forgive me for asking why You haven't done it yet, rather than simply trusting You to do it. You are a just and faithful God. I choose to trust You. In Jesus' name. Amen.