Persistence in Prayer

The Gospel of Luke 18:1-5 has Jesus telling the parable of the judge that granted the woman's request, not out of proper decision or out of relationship with God. The judge granted the woman's request because of her persistence, and the knowledge that she would keep coming back until she was granted her request. Brothers and Sisters many times when we go to God in prayer, persistence is the key. As we approach the throne of God's Kingdom, we must understand that things occur in God's time and not our time and that every prayer that we lift up will be answered in God's time and in God's way. 

Evangelist John R. Rice one wrote, "I once imagined I was in Heaven. Walking with the Angel Gabriel, 'Gabe, what is that big building there?' "You'll be disappointed' he answered. ' I don't think you want to see it.' But I insisted, and he showed be floor after floor of beautiful gifts, all wrapped ready to be sent. "Gabriel, what are all these?' "He said, I thought rather sadly, 'We wrapped these things, but people never called for them." These gifts that were wrapped and never delivered were prayers that were never prayed, thus never answered, "because humanity asked not"!

Beloved, is there a prayer that you have been lifting up to God that you feel has not been answered? The key is the persistence to keep praying and to keep reaching out to God for his wisdom and response to our prayers. Last weeks sermon asked us about persistence in the question: What if the Israelite army would have stopped praying as they circled the walls of Jericho, would the walls have come tumbling down? 

My prayer for you this week is that when you go to the Lord, be persistent and understand that God will answer your prayers when God deems the timing, and that your prayesr may be answered in a different manner than you requested. God knows our hearts and knows what is best for his children, so be like the lady before the judge, be persistent and keep returning to his throne. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhM6Rt2M96s&list=UUKS1O1disUEDGr0i-5pcJRQ&index=1&feature=plcp

A Pastor in Persistent Prayer.

Tim.