"PRAYER"
The Persistence Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
- In our study on "The Principles Of Prayer", we surveyed several
essential principles...
- We must pray in faith
- We must pray with humility
- We must pray in harmony
with the will of God
- We must pray with thanksgiving
- We must pray in the name of Jesus
- There is another principle of prayer worthy of careful
consideration...
- We must pray with persistence
- A principle of prayer that was very important to Jesus
[The importance of "The Persistence Of Prayer" can be gleaned from the
attention given to it in the Scriptures. Note first of all...]
- TEACHINGS OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
- THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT FRIEND...
- Told in connection with a request for teaching on prayer - Lk
11:1
- Following instruction providing a model for prayer - Lk 11:2-4
- The parable itself, easy enough to understand - Lk 11:5-8
- Followed with an emphasis on being persistent in asking,
seeking, knocking - Lk 11:9-10
-- Note how persistence is connected to learning how to pray!
- THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW...
- Told that men always ought to pray and not lose heart - Lk 18:1
- The parable itself, illustrating the value of persistent
requests - Lk 18:2-5
- Adding that God will certainly heed His chosen who cry out day
and night - Lk 18:6-8a
- Followed by concern for whether such faith will be found when
He returns - Lk 18:8b
-- Note how persistence is related to having faith in the Lord!
- THE TEACHING OF PAUL...
- "... continuing steadfastly in prayer" - Ro 12:12
- "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints" - Ep 6:18
- "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving;" - Col 4:2
- "pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17
-- Note how often persistence in mentioned in exhortations to
pray!
[Persistence in prayer must be very important to be stressed so often.
Yet we find more than simply teaching on persistence, we also find...]
- EXAMPLES OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
- JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE...
- When deeply distressed over His impending suffering - Mt 26:36-39
- While His closest disciples slept, he prayed three times - Mt
26:40-44
- In which He received the necessary help to face what lay ahead
- Mt 26:45-47
- Strengthened by an angel; cf. Lk 22:41-44
- Heard by God, though His actual request was not answered
- cf. He 5:7
-- If the Son of God needed persistence in prayer, do not we?
- PAUL AND HIS THORN IN THE FLESH...
- Paul endured the infirmity of persecution - 2Co 11:30-33;
12:7,10; cf. Judg 2:3
- He prayed three times that it might be removed - 2Co 12:8
- It was not, but the Lord provided what he needed
- Sufficient grace and the strength of Christ to endure - 2 Co
12:9
- Enabling him to even take pleasure in his infirmities - 2 Co
12:10
-- If the apostle of Christ needed persistence in prayer, do not
we?
- THE PRAYERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS...
- The church in Jerusalem continued steadfastly in prayer - Ac
2:42
- When Peter was imprisoned, constant prayer was offered for him
- Ac 12:5,12
- Epaphras labored fervently in prayer for his brethren at
Colosse - Col 4:12
- Widows were assumed to be devoted to prayer - 1Ti 5:5 (like
Anna, cf. Lk 2:36-37)
-- If the early church needed persistence in prayer, do not we?
CONCLUSION
- With such examples and teaching on persistence in prayer...
- The importance of persistence cannot be overemphasized
- Persistence in general (keep praying!); persistence in particular
(don't ask just once!)
- Note well: persistence does not ensure God answers we may desire...
- Jesus still had to drink the cup of suffering by going to the
cross
- Paul still had to bear his thorn in the flesh by enduring
persecution for Christ
- Yet persistence in prayer is key to receiving answers we need...
- Grace and mercy to help in time of need
- Strength to endure whatever it is we must face
And so, through persistence in prayer, let us "ask, seek, knock" (cf. Mt
7:7-8), until God provides the answer to our prayers, giving whatever He
graciously determines we really need...!