Prayer Part IV

In this blog we will be looking at determined prayer.

Many of Christians give up before the prayer could be answered. We live in such an instant gratification society that if a prayer does not get answered immediately then Christians give up and move on. Sometimes a prayer is answered immediately but sometimes it is not. God will answer a prayer with either a yes or no, but until we receive that answer we must be determined to keep praying.

My wife has been sick with cirrhosis between stage three and four for thirteen years now. We have been praying for God to heal her the entire time but as time moves on our determination becomes stronger and stronger with every passing moment. We know that God will either answer yes or no but until then we are determined to keep praying. 

I have been asked, do you get tired of praying year after year? My flesh does get tired, but I must fervently push ahead.                                                                                     

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

The Bible warns us that if we do not want to grow weary and faint then we need to pray. We must remember that everything is in God’s timing so we must be determined to keep going until God answers yes or no. 

Why does God take longer on some prayers than others, I do not know, but I do know that He has our best interest in mind. Only trust him, only trust him, only trust him now. We sing the hymn, but do we live it?

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

We are continuing in prayer and as we watch and wait for prayer to be answered, we need to give thanksgiving to God for: who He is, what He has done, and what He is going to do. Whether God answer yes or no we are to continue praying and be thankful.

 James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

How do we count it all joy? It does not say that we must be happy about it, it just says to count it all joy.

You see, my joy is not determined by life’s circumstances but in Christ. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Happiness comes and goes and is determined by life’s circumstances, but the Joy of a Christian is determined by who his or her trust is in. 

Remember, God will answer prayer sooner or later but until then we must determinedly press on.

F.B. Meyer, the author of The Secret of Guidance said, “The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer.”

Stay tuned for prayer part V.