Persistent Prayer

I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper!

Psalm 69:13-14

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is that perseverance makes all the difference. In this passage the psalmist says, “I keep praying to you, LORD” to rescue him not only from trouble but also from approaching death at the hands of his enemies. He desires that God act out of his mercy and love, but he indicates that this isn’t the first time he has prayed for favor and help.

“I keep praying to you” indicates a verb tense much like what we find in Matthew 7:7-8, where Jesus tells us to ask and keep on asking, to seek and keep on seeking, and to knock and keep on knocking. The Lord didn’t suggest that we ask just once and give up when we get tired of waiting or the answer we expect doesn’t come. He was telling us to be persistent—to keep on praying, seeking, knocking, and asking, and then we will be given what we ask for. Keep on looking, and we will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. In these and many other verses throughout the Bible, God communicates the fact that it takes strong faith to be persistent in praying and encourages us to press on. There is great promise for us as we persevere in prayer and “keep praying.”

The Bible contains many examples of people who prayed multiple times. Elijah prayed to God seven times before drops of rain began to fall from the sky (see 1 Kings 18:42-45). And Jesus told us to be like the widow who came to the unrighteous judge day after day to plead her case. Though the judge didn’t fear God or man, he finally granted the woman’s petition because of her persistent requests (see Luke 18:2-5). Receive the promise of persevering prayer, and P-U-S-H—Pray Until Something Happens!

Lord Jesus, develop in my character perseverance and faith. Help me to never give up but to keep right on praying to you.

Every single believing prayer has its influence. It is stored up toward an answer which comes in due time to whomever perseveres to the end.

Andrew Murray(1828–1917), South African pastor and author