Persistence in Prayer

Michael Jordan is probably the greatest basketball player in the history of the game, and at one time he was asked about the so-called secret of his success. Mr. Jordan answered by saying; “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I am so successful.” Mr. Jordan tells us in plain English that the key to his success was persistence. Luke 18:1-8 tells of a parable given by Jesus of a woman who kept coming to a judge asking for vindication. This parable follows a discussion in the 17th chapter of Luke, which lets us know from the very beginning that there is a great need for perseverance in our prayer life. It helps to remind us that we are not stressing God by coming to Him again and again with an issue we have.

The woman in the parable knew that justice could only come from the hands of the judge. She knew that he was unwilling to give her the time of day, but she was relentless. She was in an oppressed situation, and she did not let her situation get the better of her. She pursued and pursued. When we pray persistently to the Lord, it does not mean we lack in faith or doubting that He would ever answer us. To the contrary, persistent prayer shows God how much we rely solely on Him and not ourselves or anyone else. It shows that we know that He is the only One who can fix it. In fact, Jesus tells us right from the start, “…that men ought to always pray and not faint;” (Luke 18:1).

If your prayer is not fulfilled today, tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year – do not give up. Persistence in Prayer gives us hope in Christ.