Precious Moments That Count For EternitySample

Faith That Persists

This verse is found at the end of the famous parable of the persistent widow. She refused to give up and kept ‘pestering’ the unjust judge for justice. Finally, he gave in. Jesus told this story to encourage people not to lose heart, but to continue praying.
When my little brother was only a toddler, he’d pester my older sister to buy him something every time they went to the store together. Whether it was a packet of chips or a toy car, he always walked out of the store with something. When he visited the store with me, however, he didn’t ask, nor did I have the extra money to buy him anything. His pestering was purely because he knew my older sister was able to buy him what he wanted.
Persisting in prayer is similar. It shows God that you know He is able to heal you, provide for you or show up strong on your behalf. It shows Him that despite what everyone else thinks about your situation, you know He is faithful.
‘But why do we need to persist,’ you may ask. ‘Doesn’t God already know what I need?’ Yes, He does, and He knows just when to give it to you. If we had answers to every prayer, even before we said ‘Amen’, we’d make God our own personal genie or Santa Claus.
Persisting in prayer isn’t about nagging, pestering or throwing daily tantrums before God; it’s about depending on God and trusting His timing. It’s about wanting Him even more than you want what you are asking for.
Too often, we give up on our miracle and even on God because we lack persistent faith. Let’s not lose heart when our answer doesn’t come immediately. Keep seeking the giver; the gift will come in due time.

Prayer
Father God, I ask You to help me persist in faith and not lose heart. Let me long more for You than any other thing in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.