The power of persistence

I recently came across an interesting survey about prayer done during the pandemic. It was conducted by the Cultural Resource Center at Arizona Christian University on behalf of the Presidential Prayer Team

They discovered that 66% American adults pray at least once a week and another 10% reported they pray at least once a month. According to this survey, prayer is the most widely practiced religious activity today. Even with these impressive stats, people still report struggling with their prayer life. In this same survey, only 2% said they were satisfied with their prayer life.

There are many challenges when it comes to prayer including not being able to focus, not making time, not sure God is listening, not knowing how to pray, just to name a few. One thing I do know about prayer is that when we are faithful, God is faithful, and He is responsive. One aspect of prayer that I consider key is persistence!

Persistence

I love the role model we can have in the persistent widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18. This persistent widow illustrates that effective prayer requires tenacity and faithfulness. I call her method: Holy nagging! As genuine disciples of Christ, we must learn that prayer never gives up and is based on absolute trust and faith in God. We can fully count on the Lord to answer when, where, and how He chooses. God expects us to keep on asking, seeking, knocking, and praying until the answers come (Matthew 7:7–8). Disciples of Jesus should be people of persistent faith.

When I think of a persistent person, I imagine someone who refuses to give up or let go. Know anyone like this?  Someone who is stubborn and is continuing to keep going no matter what. I think this characteristic of persistence is so important. I believe that this persistence gives God an entrée into our lives where He shows up with His Power to address our petitions in His unique way. When we are persistent in our prayers, we unleash the power of perseverance, presence, and pressing on.

Perseverance

The power of perseverance reminds us that we may not get an answer right away. There is a strong possibility that waiting will be involved. It is so important to embrace the waiting because it is in the waiting that God will do a work in us. It may be that my heart needs to change, or I need a change in attitude. It is a time where I find I need to lean in and trust the Lord for His provision no matter what it may be.  

Presence

The power of presence encourages us to “show up.” God expects us to show up and when we do, He’s already there!  In our showing up, we demonstrate our expectancy and faith in what may come. We let the Lord and the world know that we exude confidence in God’s character and that whatever the answer, He has our back, and He knows best.  

And by the way, when we are in His presence, we don’t always need to use a barrage of words. Remember that term I mentioned, “holy nagging”? I don’t know about you but when I am bothered, frustrated, or worried, I can tend to say too much. When I say too much, I drown out God’s voice and even His presence because essentially I have taken over. Sometimes, it is important to stop, be still, and invite God into that space. It can be so refreshing and so freeing!  Remember, God does not need our words or our instructions. He’s got us covered in all ways! Be confident of that!

Pressing on

And lastly, the power of pressing on keeps us moving forward. Several years ago, I came across a motto from Dr. David Livingston, the legendary Christian missionary doctor who spent much of his ministry crisscrossing Africa helping others.  In one of his diary entries, he wrote: “I am prepared to go anywhere, as long as it is forward!”  Moving forward is not always easy. There will be distractions, the road will bend, obstacles may appear, and other challenges may arise. Yet, nothing should keep our eyes from the ultimate goal of letting the Lord have His way. So our part is persistence and then stand back to let God do the rest!  

Sandy Coelho serves as lay leadership development coordinator at the Baptist Convention of New England.