Persevering prayer – Part 4

Difficult situations do make us pray with perseverance to God.

At one time or the other, we are confronted with very difficult situations; situations that look so hopeless and impossible.

Such situations do task our faith and prayer abilities. When situations are bad or seem hopeless, we are not to give up; we should rather exercise faith and perseverance. It is never good to give up too easily when situations are bad. Seemingly hopeless situations may mean that God wants to do a miracle or manifest His power for His glory in our life.
 
When Jesus asked if he would find faith among men on earth when he returns, he meant that there will be situations that would stretch men’s endurance and make the faith of many wax cold. “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 NKJV). 
 
Jesus commended the faith of the Syrophoenician woman for her perseverance. She was important in her prayers to Jesus, not yielding until she got her request granted. Not even when Jesus tried to dissuade her through his subtle derogatory remarks, she did not relent in her pleas. She did not take offence at the remarks but still persevered. “Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said: “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour,” Matt.15.25-28 NKJV. 

Blind Bartimaeus persevered in his prayer to Jesus asking for healing. His simple prayer was, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Again, like the Syrophoenician woman, the disciples tried to dissuade him from troubling Jesus. But his persistence paid off. “Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “what do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him: “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road,” Mark.10.48-52 NKJV.
 
Isaiah’s command to the watchmen on the walls was a call to persistence and perseverance in their prayers, “…take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth,” Isaiah 62:6-7 NLT.

Think about this statement, “…take no rest…give the Lord no rest until…” The situation we face in our nation and globally, today, demands that we take no rest and give God no rest until we see the restoration of God’s glory in the land and the nations of the earth.

Persevering prayer must be our lifestyle. If men could persevere to achieve earthly goals and pursuits, then, those of us who know the value of eternal pursuits must persevere in prayer to the end. 

• Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com