Pray with perseverance.
Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. And I say to you ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Luke 11:8-9)
Pray with earnestness and importunity, which is persistence, especially to the point of annoyance.
The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months (James 5:16-17).
Jesus told his disciples . . . that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).
“To someone who prays in faith, unanswered prayers are simply the evidence that the answer is much closer.”*
*L.B.Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.39.
Dry bones came to life and became an exceedingly great army when God gave them breath (See Ezekiel 37:1-10). This story is a powerful picture of what God does.
Keep praying for those who need life. Jesus came “that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).”
Friends gave us a book. Twenty-one years ago. I just started reading it.
Perhaps a gift you’ve given is sitting on a shelf. Perhaps your prayers are yet unanswered.
“And Patience was willing to wait.”*
*L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.339.
Sometimes suffering seems endless. Keep praying. Keep waiting. Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
David’s prayer began: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me (Psalm 13:1)?”
Though he still waited for God to answer, his prayer ended: “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:5-6).
Pray with cheerful expectation.
