A Prayer About Persistence

When I feel like giving up

JESUS,

When teaching your disciples about prayer, you said they should persist—“keep on asking . . . keep on seeking, and . . . keep on knocking.” And I know that applies to other areas of the Christian life; you don’t want us to get tired of doing good. Lately, I must admit, I’ve been tired and have been tempted to give up in certain areas of “doing good.” Part of my problem is that I want to see results, and they just haven’t been forthcoming. Continuing to reach out to someone, for example, gets discouraging without a show of spiritual interest. So I ask for the resolve to persist in acting in love. My prayer life has suffered as well. I know of so many needs and issues for which to pray, and I tend to want quick and obvious answers. Your statement that I should “keep on” tells me that eventually you will answer, but maybe not right away, and that the keeping on demonstrates faith and total reliance on you. Please give me that faith, Lord.

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. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10