Persistence Pays

Persistence Pays

Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city, . . . who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow . . . came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice. . . .’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said . . . , ‘I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” Luke 18:1-5

We don’t know the end of this story, how the dispute between the persistent woman and her enemy was settled. We don’t know exactly how prayer works either. But the imagery of the story illustrates the point that Jesus wanted to make to His disciples—that persistence gets results.

Jesus applauded the persistent widow who refused to give up and returned day after day with her request.

The same applies to us and our petitions to God. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “never stop praying.” For what? For our family, for our friends? For whatever we want? To whom? Our Friend. Will God actually consider granting any and all of our prayer requests? Is the deciding factor for God how persistent we are? Will He consider a prayer to win a game? Will He consider a prayer for healing from an illness contracted while engaging in some activity contrary to His Word? What about a prayer for a better job? Or just a job, period? Or do our prayers have to be about obtaining justice in alignment with God’s will or for others who are being abused or oppressed?

Why does the apostle Paul talk about prayer in almost every one of his pastoral letters to the believers? Could it be that this is the one activity the followers of Christ can engage in that connects them directly with the living God? The answer is an emphatic yes.

The writer of Hebrews directs us to prayer by saying, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16). Notice that he doesn’t say, “Let us come boldly to the finance meeting of the church, or to hear the preacher preach,” but to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, because that’s where our relationship with God grows. It’s where we touch the face of God. It’s where we offer our requests and God listens. It’s where we find encouragement, courage, and direction for our next step. It’s what we should encourage others to do—our friends, our family, those we mentor, teach, coach, and lead, as well as those who come to us for help.

It’s where you hook hands with the God who reaches down with His right hand to hold you securely and to guide you, remaining your friend forever (Psalm 73:24-28).

Uncommon Key > It’s where it all happens with God—in prayer on your knees with Him every moment. He is always there and always waiting. How about right now?