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Persistence in Prayer

Luke 18:1| “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Have you ever wondered whether prayer actually accomplishes anything? Sometimes it can be discouraging when we pray for the same thing over and over again, only to feel as if no one is listening. It's encouraging in moments like these to remember that Jesus Christ himself spoke to this very issue.

God answers our prayers even if it’s in ways that we don’t expect. God answers every prayer in one of four ways. First, God can answer, “No.” It may be that what you are asking for is not something that would be best for you. Second, God can answer, “Grow.” Perhaps you need to focus more on your spiritual growth before he answers your prayer. Third, God can answer, “Slow.” When God says, “Slow” you’ll receive what you’re asking for but that you need to be patient. Fourth, God can answer, “Go.” When you hear, “Go” God is giving you the blessing of a “yes” to your prayer.

It's an interesting time we're living in when we get discouraged because we pray for something on Monday but we don't have the answer by Thursday. Could it be that in those in-between moments, when we're praying like crazy for something and waiting for the answer, that the Lord is actually accomplishing His most important work in us as he says “grow” or “slow”? If you've been praying for something for a while but you haven't received an answer, don't give up! God may be answering your prayer with a no, grow, slow, or go.

Reflect:

• Have you ever been praying for something and you’ve received a no, grow, or slow answer? In that situation did you ever realize that the answer you were given was best for you at that time?
• What are you praying for today that you’re discouraged about? Make the commitment that you’ll be persistent in your prayers.