“Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers.”Ephesians 6:18, NLT
Why should you be persistent in your prayers, even when you don’t get an answer?
Persistent prayers focus your attention. When you pray over and over, it’s not to remind God. It’s to remind you that God is the source of your answer. If every time you prayed you instantly got results, you’d only think about the blessing. God wants you to focus on the Blesser.
Persistent prayers clarify your request. A delayed answer gives you time t clarify what you want and to refine your prayers. When you ray persistently to your heavenly Father, it separates deep longings out from mere whims. God wants to answer your prayers, but he wants you to be certain it’s what you really want. This process helps you develop more wisdom.
Persistent prayers test your faith. When God delays your answer, you are at a crossroad. Will you wait for God to act, or will you take it upon yourself to come up with a solution? God is always working in our hearts to be more dependent on Him.
Persistent prayer prepares your heart for the answer.
Sometimes God denies your prayer requests because you’re thinking too small and asking too little. He wants to give you something better. But first, He has to prepare you for it.
If you’ve given up on praying persistently, today is the day to renew your commitment to pray specifically.
Have you been praying for something persistently? What is God doing in your heart through that process?