PRAY PERSISTENTLY

When Nehemiah received the sad news from Jerusalem, he “sat down and wept … for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens” (Nehemiah 1:4). He continued to present his petitions before God “day and night” (Nehemiah 1:6).

The bad news arrived in the “month of Chislev” (Nehemiah 1:1) which corresponds to the months of November or December on our calendar. He continued to pray until the “month of Nissan” (Nehemiah 2:1), which corresponds to March or April. Nehemiah’s prayer wasn’t one-and-done… He patiently and persistently prayed for four months!

Jesus told a story we call “The Parable of the Persistent Widow.” His stated purpose was to teach His disciples “the need for them to pray always and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Jesus told of an evil judge who “didn’t fear God or respect people” (Luke 18:2). In the town, there was a poor widow who had been wronged. She went to the judge seeking justice, but the uncaring judge refused her requests. Undaunted, the poor widow kept coming, persistent in her appeals. Finally, the judge wearied and gave her justice.

God is NOT an evil judge, but He invites us to be persistent in our appeals. “Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7).

Abraham’s persistent praying was quite audacious. He asked God if He would destroy Sodom if there were “fifty righteous people in the city” (Genesis 18:24). When God replied that He would withhold his wrath if there were fifty righteous people, Abraham tried again… and again… and again. “How about “forty-five?” … “forty” … “thirty” … “twenty” … and finally “ten?” (Genesis 18:28-32).

Jacob wrestled with God, refusing to give up. “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26). Have we every wrestled with God, refusing to give-up or give-in?

The Apostle Paul “pleaded with the Lord three times” … again, and again, and again he prayed. But God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9). God didn’t answer Paul’s persistent praying the way that he hoped, but God did answer!

God answered Nehemiah’s persistent prayers… and He’ll answer ours if we’ll follow Nehemiah’s example. He “sat down and wept … for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).