Reinhard
19 Persistence in Prayer
Luke 18:2-8 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
As Christians, we have the attitude of persistence. We rest our prayers on God’s promises. We take the time read and study God’s promises that pertain to what we are praying for. We know that God does not change and stands behind every one of His promises. We know that every promise in Him is yes and amen. We know that God is glad to bless His children. When we see an apparent delay, we ask God to show us what is the cause. We search ourselves and ask God to search us.
Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We realize that we may need to come up higher in Him.
We realize that we need to persist in prayer.
Elijah persisted in prayer after he had prophecied to King Ahab that it would rain. He prayed and then his servant to look for rain. This was repeated seven times until the servant came back and reported that he saw a cloud the size of a man’s hand.
IKing 18:41-46 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
We see the story of Moses interceding for the Israelite army while they fought. As long as Moses had his hands up, the Israelites prevailed. When Moses took his hands down, the enemy prevailed. Aaron and Hur, helped Moses continue to pray. They persisted in prayer!
Exod 17:9-15 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:
A runner in a foot race keeps going, even when tired, in order to win a prize. Even so, we purpose not to faint. We aren’t quitters; we are going to finish strong.
2 Cor 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
We realize that we are to redeem the time. We use our time wisely. We purpose to be sober and alert!
1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
We purpose to have an attitude of gratitude and praise toward God. In the midst of our daily lives, we continue in prayer.
1Thes 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Daniel in the Old Testament is a great example of someone, who even though he had a responsible position, would take time to pray three times a day.
Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.