Experiencing God's Presence #182

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

God is persistent. His rescue plan for humanity took millennia to unfold, but even after repeated rejection by His people, He continued to redeem, restore, and prepare for the Messiah. He relentlessly pursues our love and does not abandon us, no matter how many times we fall. He has promised to complete the work He has begun in us, no matter how long it takes or how winding the road seems to be. God does not give up.

It only makes sense, then, that this God of persistence tells us to be persistent. He continues to make us in His image, and this is one of the ways we are to reflect Him. That’s why Jesus told His disciples to pray and “never give up” (Luke 18:1), giving them parables about knocking on a neighbor’s door repeatedly (Luke 11:5-8) and pestering a judge until he gives a favorable decision (Luke 18:1-8). In our pursuit of God, His Kingdom, and His will for our lives, we are to be relentless just as He is relentless—even if the one we petition is Him. He invites us to remind Him of His promises and take no rest in doing so (Isaiah 62:6-7). He urges us to “pester” Him.

Hear His heart: “I don’t ask for your persistent prayers because I’m hard of hearing. I ask for them because in the process of asking, listening for My answers, waiting on Me to act, and continuing to seek out My will, you are being drawn close to Me. My delays are rarely a no; they are an invitation to come closer. If you learn this, you will find yourself growing deeper and stronger in Me.”

Father, forgive me for giving up too quickly when I pray. There’s no reason for me not to come to You for everything at all times. May Your Spirit remind me often to pray, and may You hear my requests and answer them according to Your power and purpose.

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