PERSISTENCE

“When Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1 NIV)

This morning I am going to share an appropriate lesson for these times; suitable from an independent nation perspective and from an individual perspective.  It comes from a Leadership Council Meeting meditation that started our meeting back in 2018.  I think you will find it appropriate and applicable.

Jesus tells a number of parables about persistence in which he reminds his followers that they should always pray and not give up.  The point that Jesus was making is unwilling people were persuaded by someone’s persistence.  How much more can you count on a loving and willing God to answer your requests when you persist in prayer!  It was the accepted practice in that day to pray no more than three times a day so God wouldn’t get tired of hearing you.  Jesus shatters this concept by showing that we should always pray!  Now know that God does not have to be pressured into helping.  You don’t have to nag Him.  Your persistence is, instead, an indication of your desire and your dependence on God!  People frequently ask, “How long should I keep praying about this situation?”  Pray until one of two things happens: God changes the situation, or God changes you.  Often both will happen at simultaneously.  And while you are waiting, realize that God is working, yes, working it out for you!  And realize that while you are waiting, you should be working too!  We are in a hurry, but God is not.  He can afford to take the long route in His answers to our prayers, but if He so chooses, it is for a purpose.  Martin Luther once said, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance.  It is laying hold of God’s willingness.”  Note this: “God is answering many of your prayers in ways you cannot see, cannot sense, and cannot start to understand!”

You know the saying, “To do is to learn.”  Well, let’s do some “doing” right now!  Say these seven things aloud in the order they appear before you get going today!

1. I may be going through changing times, so what, I have an unchanging God!
   1. I will keep praying anyhow and I won’t give up!
      1. I shall persist in prayer!  Persistence pays off!
         1. I am going to keep depending on God and l will let Him know that I am doing so by my praying!
         1. I am going to keep on working for the good of the Lord while I pray!
         1. I’m still holding on! (I’ll never let go!)
         1. I’m confident that even when I can’t see it, God is answering my prayers and doing something wonderful for me!

Let’s stay in the “doing” mode!  Here is an “assignment” for today!  Tell somebody, “Keep praying and be persistent!”  Have a great day my friend!  Be blessed!

“Then He said to them, “Which of you has a friend and shall go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,for a friend of mine on his journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you anything.’I say to you, though he will not rise and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as much as he needs.  And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  (Luke 11:5-10 MEV)

Still committed to the climb,

Mark L. King