The Power of Persistent Praying

One is a parable of comparison: God is like this…

God is not like this….This is a parable of contrast.

Luke 18:1 “He told His disciples a parable to show that they should always pray and not give up.”

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Persistent Praying keeps my attention focused in the right place and person.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Mark 12:38-40 Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. 39 And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 40 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.” Luke 18:10ff Sinner and Pharisee.

Psalm 115:11 All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield.

PERSISTENT PRAYING CLARIFIES MY REQUEST.

Persistent prayers shows your heart’s desire.

Romans 8:26 ”The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how we should pray, so the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that can’t be expressed in words.”

Sometimes God waits to answer your prayer because He’s helping you think through what’s the real problem.

PERSISTENT PRAYING TESTS THE REALITY OF MY FAITH

Proverbs 17:3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

His favorite way of testing you is delay.

God’s timing is perfect.

James 1:3–4 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be mature and complete, needing nothing.

The only way you can grow to maturity – emotionally and spiritually is to have your faith tested.

Take the step of faith as far as God leads you.

Keep on praying because praying persistently reveals faith.

PERSISTENT PRAYING PREPARES ME FOR GOD’S ANSWER.

Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Sometimes God denies your prayer requests because you’re thinking and you’re asking too small.

Prayer doesn’t just change things; it changes you.

The struggle isn’t with God. It’s primarily with ourselves.

“Never stop praying… Keep on believing… Keep on asking.”

When God changes the situation, you can stop praying.

When God changes me, then I can stop praying.

WAIT PATIENTLY.

Psalms 37:7 “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.”

WAIT EXPECTANTLY.

Luke 11:9–10 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

God is in control and you’re not.

God will honor your patience.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be shaken.