Being Persistent Pays Off

Being Persistent Pays Off

Luke 18:1-8 “ 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?”

Persevering in prayer was the topic of prayer group today.  The person leading today had a whole talk written our on a different topic and then while she was eating her breakfast, the Holy Spirit told her she needed to speak on prayer instead.  Now, my prayer group starts at 10 am and she was getting picked up at 9 a.m.  I am not sure what time she eats breakfast, but that didn’t give her much time to prepare.  However, the Holy Spirit is not going to tell you to rewrite your whole talk and then not help you with what to say.  

It was a wonderful talk and it was clear throughout the whole meeting that prayer is what we were supposed to be talking about.  Most of the scripture verses that were give were about prayer.  Most of the words of prophecy that were given were about prayer also.  We are asked several times in the Bible to pray continuously.  We are also told we should have expectant trust when we pray.  We should pray confidently knowing the Lord our God hears our prayers and answers them.  We are also asked to pray persistently.  The woman giving the talk asked us all to examine the qualities of our prayers.  Are they persevering?  Are they encouraging?  Are they trusting and steadfast?  Those are great questions.  What about your prayers?  Do they have these qualities to them?  

The verse above is one of my favorites, although I have a lot of favorites.  I love how the woman knew what she wanted and she didn’t give up.  I love how Jesus is the one who tells us this parable and then encourages us to do the same.  Have you ever felt like you were pestering God before?  Have you ever worried that He might be getting annoyed because you have been asking Him the same thing for a very long time?  I know I have and I know plenty of other people that have.  Have you ever prayed for something so long you started to think God didn’t want you to have it?  Have you ever prayed for God to take the desire away from you for a specific thing you keep waiting for?  You aren’t alone.  Many of us have done that.  I know God’s timing is perfect and yet when I am waiting for something year after year, it doesn’t feel perfect.  

If we knew why we had to wait, or when we had to wait until, it would be easier.  It’s the trusting part that is so difficult.  It’s the waiting in silence as we continue to ask year after year.  I get it.  I have been there.  I have prayed for so so many years that our kids behavior would get better.  I prayed for all the anger to leave our house.  I prayed for so many things for so many years.  There were definitely times when I wanted to give up.  There were times when I didn’t feel I could ask for the same thing one more time.  Yet, the verse above kept me going.  The verse above reassured me that we can’t ask God for something too many times.  He does not get annoyed, He does not get upset.  In fact, He is the one telling us to keep asking.  In fact, those prayers that my boys behaviors would get better and that the anger would leave our house, they cam true.  My prayers were answered after all those years and yours will be too!

Did you know this verse is not the only verse where Jesus tells us to keep asking and asking?  It says in Luke 11:5-8 “ And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.” There are others examples like this in the Bible as well. God wants us to continue to ask for something, even if He hasn’t given it to us yet.  He wants us to be like a dog with a bone.  

If you have a deep desire in your heart and you are getting tired of praying for the same thing, ask someone else to pray for you.  Our friends can be a great resource for extra prayers.  If you are praying for something you really want it can be emotional to keep praying for it when it feels like you will never get it.  If you are struggling to persevere with a prayer for something you really want, enlist the help of your friends.  The more people praying the better.  Imagine if that widow in the parable had other people bugging the judge as well.  Maybe she would have gotten justice faster, who knows?  

The woman giving the talk said that although perseverance in prayer is important, the first step is to begin with asking in the first place.  Have you ever complained about God not giving you what you wanted but then upon digging deeper you realized you never asked Him for it?  The speaker said she got this sense that Jesus was really sad because there were so many people complaining and yet they didn’t ask.  He has what they are looking for and He is happy to give it to them, He is just waiting for the to ask Him.  That thing you are waiting for, did you already ask for it?  Did you ask often?  Are you still asking, or did you give up?  And by the way, not judgement if you gave up.  I totally get it.  It is hard to keep asking.  I have been there.  I want to encourage you, if you gave up, start again.  Ask again.  Jesus is telling us to be persistent, to keep asking.  What if God was just about to give you the very thing you have been waiting for and you gave up asking right before He was about to give it to you?  Don’t give up too soon.  Remember, if you get tired, enlist the help of your friends or your loved ones.  

I learned something about St. Dominic today.  He had four elements or characteristics for a perfect prayer.  If you wanted to pray perfectly you must be patient, persevering, persistent, and pestering.  I love that last word.  I feel as though the word pestering gives us permission to continue to ask for things.  One of the ladies in the group said when she heard that word she pictured us going up to Jesus as a little kid and tugging on the bottom of his outfit.  Let’s all see if we can do some pestering this week?  Let’s try to ask God for that thing we assumed He didn’t want to give us.  Let’s all ask Him for that thing we keep asking Him for, or that thing we got tired and stopped asking Him for.  Let’s see if we can approach our prayer time this upcoming week with a renewed sense of perseverance!

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those who are listening to this podcast today.  Lord, help us to persevere in our prayer, even when it’s hard.  Help us to enlist the help of our loved ones.  Help us to pray with trust and confidence.  Help us to see what is lacking in our prayer life.  Holy Spirit please open our eyes and ears and reveal to us how we can improve our prayer life.  Help us to remember to ask for whatever it is we need, big or small.  Lord, give us the strength to be like the persistent widow.  We love you Lord and we are so grateful for all you do for us.  You are the Light of the World.  You are the Word made flesh.  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus holy name, Amen.  

Thank you so much for joining my on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus.  I look forward to spending time with you on Monday.  Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I!  Have a blessed weekend!

www.findingtruenorthcoaching.com

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

CLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring 

CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emails

CLICK HERE to sign up for free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily life

CLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace