Today’s Encouragement is, “Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18b NLT
Be Persistent-
So often, we earnestly pray for someone or something for a while. But when we don’t see the answer soon, we trail off, moving on to other prayers perhaps, or worse, to less prayer, less faith, and less trust. But this is normal human behavior… we have such short attention spans!
Some of us keep written prayer lists to help us remain persistent in prayer. Yet some prayer needs are so urgent or overwhelming that we don’t need reminding!
We may pray persistently for years without ‘seeing’ answers. Is it possible that we don’t ‘see’ because we are expecting a particular outcome, a specific response from God? God is unlimited; He isn’t constrained by our expectations.
Another possibility is that God is developing our character. Just as a child who gets everything they want becomes spoiled, God may be waiting for our maturity. “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:3-4 NLT
Whatever His reason, God has clearly advised us to wait, persevere, endure, and persistently pray for all believers everywhere and for anything else we need. It always must be – His way, His plan, and our faith.
Father God, we are such impatient creatures, childishly expecting and demanding that You do what we ask in prayer – now! Thank You that You understand our nature and have already forgiven us. Help us to rest in Your mercy and to persist in faithful, patient prayer.
Take Courage
Kristine DiMarco
Today’s Encouragement 