Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the LORD God. In addition to such words as “prayer” and “praying,” this activity is described as calling upon God.
Mark 11:24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
For a very short while this morning, I would like to speak to you in regard to the following words and their importance in prayer.
Determination — Perseverance — Persistence
James 1:2 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
Determination — is the act of deciding definitely and firmly. also : the result of such an act of decision. A firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end.
- Abraham is an example of determination because he was willing to leave his home and follow God’s instructions, even when it meant going to a land in which he was unfamiliar with (Genesis 12:1-4). He obeyed God, and became the father of many nations, as God had promised.
- Jesus was determined to do God’s Will no matter what surrounded Him. He was determined to live outside of the confinement of status and the opinions of other people. He was determined to seek and save the children of God who had lost their way.
When one walks with the determination to succeed: they trust within their heart the Word in scripture that says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:3
Perseverance— a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. It is the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness. One must be persistent despite the difficulties or delays we face.
The Bible teaches us to persevere in our faith, trusting God to fulfill His promises. When we face difficulties, we can trust that God understands our situation and sees our distress. Through perseverance, we build character, patience, gratitude, respect, and appreciation. Spiritual leaders with character have hope. Not hope in themselves but hope and faith that God will never be defeated.
- Jeremiah was blessed by God and tasked with preaching God’s word to His people. He is an example of perseverance by continually preaching and teaching God’s word, despite all that was done to him. The tragedy of Jeremiah’s life was this: he preached to deaf ears and reaped only hate in return for his love to his fellow countrymen. But that did not stop him, Jeremiah was nevertheless one of the boldest and bravest of all the prophets. Despite great opposition, he faithfully carried out his call as a prophet to warn his fellow citizens that God’s judgement was at hand.
- How did Jesus demonstrate perseverance? He persevered through agony on the cross, gave His life for a sinner like me, and offered the most perfect example of endurance as He finished the race of life perfectly. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of perseverance in the Bible!
Persistence — is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people.
What does the Bible say about persistence? “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
“As for you, my sisters and brothers, don’t grow weary in doing good, don’t be so quick to throw in the towel.” “For the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Prayers of persistence bring abundant blessings. When we pray with persistence, God blesses us in ways we could never have imagined. He pours out His goodness on us and provides for all our needs. We should never give up praying because we know that God is faithful to answer our prayers and bless us abundantly.
Persistence is a virtue well worth cultivating; it’s when we hang in there and keep going no matter how tough our circumstances seem to be. It’s during the times of trials and tribulations that we build strength and endurance. Let’s recall that the race is not given to the swift, nor the victory to the strong, but to him that endures to the end.
These three words, determination, perseverance, and persistence is the roots to the definition of how one prays when they are calling upon God. We must be constant, ever pressing forward in prayer. Just as we must persist, by never stopping. In doing so, the value of persistence will bring answers to our prayers.
- Jesus, promised that His followers would receive the Holy Spirit if they persisted in asking, seeking, and knocking at the door of their Heavenly Father (Luke 11:5-13).
Thus, after Jesus’ ascension, His followers continually devoted themselves to prayer in the upper room until with power the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2).
The Word says: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. The promised fulfillment of asking, seeking, and knocking!
Determination, perseverance, and persistence in prayer is found in the story of the widow that functions as a model for discipleship with respect to persistence in prayer.
The Bible says: Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, lest by her continual coming she weary me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? 8 I tell you; He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
The Widow had determination, and she was faithful to what she believed in. She was persistent in her pursuit of justice.
Do you have the determination, and persistence to pray even when it looks as if your answer will never come. Do you lack the persistence to stay there in prayer inspite of what it looks like today?
Remember, the story in the Book of Daniel 10th chapter where it was said that Daniel had prayed but it seemed his prayers were seemingly unanswered. However, the scripture goes on to relay that, from the moment he humbled himself and received understanding, his prayer was heard, and the answer was sent. But it was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia. But then Michael, one of the chief angels, intervened to help the answer to come and to be on its way.
Blessings delayed or not always blessings denied. Stay there and continue in your prayers. Seek, ask, and knock. I heard a Pastor’s message that said, “If it’s healing you are praying for, know this, if the LORD does not heal you on this side, you will be healed on the other. For there is a tree where the leaves or for the healing of the nations of all manner of illnesses. The final answer to all of our prayers is from the LORD God.”
As I conclude this sermon, my prayer for you is that the LORD will provide you with the answer in which you seek. God is able and He can do what no other power can do. Therefore, until that time, I will continue to press my way.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara
FLSB
The Church Within You! 