Verse: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction; be persistant in prayer." Romans 12:12 HCSB
Prayer is important... and should be something that is done all day long, each and every day. Persistence does pay off. Is there something that you are hoping for, or something that is afflicting you... for most of us, that is probably a resounding YES! Well, then this verse says that you should be persistent in prayer.
What is the definition of 'persistent'?
–adjective
1. persisting, esp. in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering: a most annoyingly persistent young man.
2. lasting or enduring tenaciously: the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
3. constantly repeated; continued: persistent noise.
4. Biology .
a. continuing or permanent.
b. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
5. Botany . remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.
So, in spite of opposition, obstacles or discouragement we are meant to be persistent and persevere through and pray. We are to rejoice in faith and hope, knowing that our Creator and Father is watching over us and that He is in control of the entire world, and our little life in that entire world. Having faith in God that He will take charge and fix our problem should allow us to be patient in affliction or times of trouble. God is our Father and our friend. Prayer is just simply communicating with Him. It doesn't always have to be a long drawn out 'Oh gracious Heavenly Father, hear our humble cry...'; it can be a simple 'Help me Lord...'.
Most of our big prayers are at mealtime, or at bedtime or the like... but we should be communicating with God all day long. He knows what we want, and He knows what we need, but He still wants to hear it from us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 it says, "...pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV) Continually, means it should be always on our lips. If we are to continually breathe in and out, then that means we breathe in and out ALL the time. It just comes natural to us, that our body just does it. Prayer should be the same.
Usually we keep trials, troubles, despair, discouragement, tough decisions in our minds... we think them over, try to fix them ourselves, sometimes we let ourselves get filled with bitterness or despair. The mind is a battlefield... yet we are to turn those problems over to God, and not dwell on them. His power is greater than our power, His thoughts and ways are always higher & greater than ours. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9
It has been said, "Pray as if it's all up to God, work as if it's all up to you." (Anonymous) and that is so true. However, it is all up to God so you can pray accordingly. If it's God's will for you to have that desire, then He will grant it under certain circumstances. If it however is not in the will of God, then God will grant you something else to fill that void. Yet His love is always the best filler!
So, open up your heart today, NOW, and more times throughout the day... it may be a quiet whisper, or a regular voice tone, or even a loud shout. It may even have to be a prayer in the mind. Take authority that He has given over your rough situations. Ask for healing in your own body, or for those around you. Ask for those desires that are sitting in your heart unfulfilled yet. But please don't forget to THANK Him for all He has done for you... that is an important part of prayer too. But first of all, remember to repent and ask forgiveness, so that you may BOLDLY go into His throneroom. We can repent for the sins we commit in THOUGHT, WORD & DEED, intentionally and unintentionally, consciously and subconsciously. (Some things you have done require forgiveness, and you don't know that you even 'sinned'.) Jesus' blood covers and cleanses us clean as the snow. You can even tell Him your struggles, yet remember the devil is listening too, and he likes to add to those, so you can pray those in your mind or you can speak in tongues (if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit), cause that confuses the devil. HA HA HA! Remember we are to NOT FEAR the devil... there is NO fear in God. The devil is under our feet, and you can stomp on him throughout the day while you go about your day, and especially while you are praying! You are an OVERCOMER!
"Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." (Romans 16:19-20 NIV)
Have a great day, be blessed and be a blessing!
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