The Apostle Paul alongside with his admonition to “Rejoice Always”also admonishes us to “Pray without ceasing!” He didn’t say Pray often, pray as much as possible, no, he said to pray continuously. The way I understand continuously or without ceasing; means endlessly, steadily, ongoingly! Does it mean we have to pray every moment we are awake? I think not, because the Lord Jesus didn’t do that nor did the Apostle Paul who wrote the admonishment.
Nonetheless, the significance is that our prayers should be constant and steadfast. Remember the story the Lord told the disciples in teaching them about prayer. We find it in Luke 11:5-13.
The Lord tells the disciples, “But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” Luke 11:8. The Lord was referring to the friend who came at midnight to ask for a loaf of bread. He continues to tell the disciples in verse 9, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Persistence in prayer helps us overcome our insensitivity. Our heart and mind not only changes but prayer helps us understand and express the depth of our need. And, not only that, when we are persistent in prayer we see God at work in our lives.
How about the story of the persistent widow? We find it in Luke, chapter 18:1-8
This widow kept coming back and boldly bothered the judge. She kept making her request and did not give up, until she received what she sought. Here we recognize that continuous prayer means keeping our requests before God, constantly as we live each day, believing that he will answer.
We don’t give up if we are living by faith. God does answer our prayers, we just have to wait. Sometimes the answer comes quickly and sometimes it doesn’t. And, when it is delayed there is always a reason for it. But, remember this as we persist in our prayer life, we are growing in our faith and hope and even in our character. And, quite frankly, that’s really a good thing!
ritasalomon 