For Tenacity

For Tenacity

IF I HAD TO PICK A FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER, Jacob would be in my top three. He was a man who wrestled for what he desired. Jacob wrestled with Esau for a birthright, wrestled with Laban for a wife, and wrestled with God for a blessing. Jacob told the angel of the Lord, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

Some prayers will be answered quickly, but others will require that you put up a fight. Yes, you might have to roll up your prayer-warrior sleeves and wrestle for your breakthrough. That’s why Jesus taught his disciples to persist: “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. . . . ‘So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?’” (Luke 18:1, 7).

Therefore, hold on to God like Jacob did, and refuse to let go. The Lord applauds our tenacious prayers.

STRENGTH IN THE WORD

She came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

TODAY I DECLARE

I won’t stop praying and believing for this breakthrough.

PRAYERFUL THOUGHTS

Dear Lord,

I bring this matter before you. Again I’m pleading for your favorable response. Like Jacob, I’m willing to wrestle; like the desperate woman in Matthew 15, I won’t give up. Please use this tussle to develop my tenacity, and show me how to pray until a breakthrough is released. But if the request is outside your will, O Lord, quickly remove this desire from my heart.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

KEEPSAKE

“Roll up your prayer-warrior sleeves.”