There is a Kingdom principle in the New Testament, namely, Perseverance in Prayer. It is illustrated most clearly in two brief parables taught by Jesus; Luke 11:5-8 and Luke 18:1-8. In Greek the word used is “anaideian” and is variously translated as “pestering” “importunity”, “impudence”, “persistence”, or “shameless asking”. The phrase “never finishes coming to me” in used of the widow’s continued pleas for justice. This is perseverance
I want first to recommend one of the best resources on Perseverance in Prayer that I have ever found. In his 1898 book The Ministry of Intercession, Andrew Murray pleas for more prayer. It is an excellent little volume on Praying for others. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with Persevering in Prayer Although I recommend the whole book, these two chapters strive to help the reader embrace Persevering in Prayer.
Now I would like to share a few of my own observations on why we should Persevere in Prayer.
- Because Jesus said so. I don’t mean this to sound sarcastic; I just mean to contrast the mindset that says “Jesus gave us two different parables about Persevering in Prayer to teach us that his followers “ought always to pray and not lose heart” and the mindset that says “I don’t understand why God doesn’t answer prayer on my preferred timeline and therefore I will not persevere in Prayer.”
- Consider the good things that can happen when Perseverance causes me to repeat my prayers to God day after day. It gives me opportunity to re-consider my request (to tweak it, to cancel it, to double-down on it,) This may improve my prayer request in the eyes of God.
- One of the benefits that re-considering may offer is to drive me to Scripture to literally make my request more Biblical.
- Delay in the answer of my request gives me time to consider my motives for asking and to question how closely my request compares to the revealed will of God.
- The need to Persevere in Prayer tests my faith in the power, character and grace of God. You will find that tested faith grows stronger like a muscle or a skill that faces challenge.
- When Christians are challenged to spend more time in prayer, one of the objections I have heard is “I don’t know what I would pray about for that long”, in other words, what would make up the content of more time spent in prayer. If I persevere in prayer requests (pray longer for them at one time, or continue to bring the same request time and time again, more content for more time in prayer no longer poses a problem.
- Whether about my overall prayer life, or dealing with a particular prayer request, ANYTHING THAT CAUSES ME TO SPEND MORE TIME IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH GOD IS A PLUS.
- What if worry is the product the human mind’s reaction to trouble or crisis, in the absence of persevering prayer?
From The Office for Strategic Prayer 