PERSISTENT PRAYER IS POWERFUL

Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Three different times he prayed basically the same prayer.

It struck me that if Jesus, who was in perfect communion with God – one in the same – prayed the same basic prayer three times, we ought to also be persistent with our prayer!

There is an interesting parable where Jesus talks about a person who kept knocking on a neighbors door in the middle of the night – and due to persistence was finally given bread. (Luke 11)

I’m motivated to model Jesus – praying prayers earnestly, and persistently so that God’s will can be done perfectly in my life.

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9) 

There are some things that can only happen through prayer.

This morning I’m spending time praying somewhat a basic, repetitive prayer. I’m praying for fruit that will last as we continue to move into a post-pandemic ministry world – in both our local church and in Harvest Ministry. We’re praying for students, for leaders, for churches. We’re praying for logistical things to be worked out, planning to go well, finances to help support it, but most of all, praying for changed lives in the name of Jesus and a heart to see God at work through transformation and discipleship.

I want to pray persistent prayers.

I have a few other prayers that I want to pray persistently – one for my wife and me to model love and commitment and to live it out each day. Another one for my daughters to grow up to be women of God who live faithfully, and for our home to be Christ-centered. I want to pray for our church to be desperate for God’s grace and mercy and to have enough space in our lives and schedules to respond to grace through worship, giving and serving. And I want to pray for Harvest Ministry to be an effective tool for this season in history, helping to call the next generation to faith in Christ and to make a difference in the church.

What persistent prayers are you praying?

Persistent prayers may surface for a season – during an illness, a season of job hunting or during this time of national natural disasters – in many ways like we’re in right now. When we are constantly praying for something, our hearts and minds are in tune to noticing God at work in each situation.

Let’s get in the habit of praying persistent prayers.

(Take a listen to this podcast interview with Shane Bishop on the topic of prayer)