21 Days of Fasting and Prayer Devotional: Send RevivalSample

Day 5: Passion and Perseverance 

Grit is something that has been talked about in many arenas of life, from sports to education to business. According to Angela Duckworth, a researcher and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, grit is one of the key predictors of success in any endeavor. She defines grit as having passion and perseverance, and “having a goal you care about so much that it organizes and gives meaning to almost everything you do.” 

While this is a characteristic we don’t often associate with spiritual matters, it has profound significance when it comes to prayer. This definition of grit is exactly how Jesus describes how we should pray. In Luke 18, Jesus told His disciples a parable of a widow who persistently brought her case to an unjust judge. Although this judge had no regard for God or man, he eventually granted the widow’s request because of her persistence. Jesus finished the parable by saying, “So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly!” (Luke 18:7-8 NLT) 

Notice that Jesus says God will respond to those who cry out to Him. That phrase is translated elsewhere in the Bible as "a shout, a war cry, or a roar." When it comes to matters of prayer, passion makes a difference. The posture and tone of our prayers can have a lot to do with the answers we receive. 

Jesus finished the parable by saying the Father is looking for those who will call on Him day and night. We are talking about those who not only have a passion for the Kingdom of God, but people who are willing to seek Him until they see His will done. It is one thing to feel a passing burden that causes you to whisper a quick prayer, and it is entirely another thing to persistently and passionately call on God for an answer. 

If we truly want to see revival take hold in our lives, our families, our church, and our community, it will require passion and persistence in prayer.