Updated:- Wednesday, August 16, 2023
What Is Persistent In Prayer?
If you are persistent in prayers it will revolutionize your life. But it’s hard work. This feature has changed the lives of all who dare to persevere in prayers to the Lord God.
When a Believer is persistent in prayer, it simply means that he or she prays the same prayer until God answers it!
Below you will find a few examples of persistent prayers in the Bible. People who are persistent in prayers are all over the Bible.
Previously, we investigated one of the prerequisites for effective and powerful prayers namely, obedience.
Today, let’s peruse Scriptures to unearth yet another of them.
Here is a video Bible Study on this topic. Click the link to watch it!
The goal of any Believer’s prayer is for God “to hear” it and to respond. Therefore, all our prayers could be powerful prayers, if we adhere to the Lord’s conditions for them.
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The Power of Persistent Prayers
However, the power of persistent prayer is evident in the lives of those who never give up. They pressed on against great odds and triumphed.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Abraham
- Elijah
- Every Persistent Prayer Has This Feature
- What Happens When We Persist in Prayers?
- What Could You Learn About Persistence in Prayers From Zacharias
- Cornelius
- He Prayed the Same Prayer Multiple Times
- How to Experience Powerful Prayers?
- Be an Example!
- Conclusion
Examples of People Being Persistent in Prayers in the Bible
1). Abraham’s Prayer Is An Example of Persistent Prayer
Let’s start at the beginning. Abram (Abraham) had a unique experience with the Lord God. The Lord promised him a son. However, he waited, obeyed, and believed God until His promise materialized.
Powerful prayers require patience and persistence. Abram was patient. He was persistent. The Lord made a promise to him when he was seventy-five years old, but it came true when he was a hundred years old, (Genesis 12:4 & 21:5).
He didn’t give up. He believed God and he pressed on. And the Bible teaches that because of this God declared him righteous, (Genesis 15:6).
You may have been praying for your breakthrough for a while now, but if you believe that God will honor His word you will see it come to pass. He will bless you. But you must trust Him with the last breath in your body.
Others have trusted in God and He never disappointed them. Believe His words and keep them. Hide them in your heart and let them guide and comfort you.
One of the best ways to hide the Word of God in your heart is memorization. Therefore, memorize a scripture daily.
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2). Elijah – Persistent in Prayers
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months”, (James 5:17 ).
Elijah was an ordinary man. But he was persistent in prayers to God.
He requested a drought. He prayed to God that there be no rains for three-and-one-half years, in his country, and none fell. God honored his words.
Therefore, he informed the king, “there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word”, (1 Kings 17:1 & James 5:17).
His prayer was powerful. Why? Because he was persistent in prayers. God heard him and honored his words.
He rewarded his persistence because it demonstrated faith in Him.
After three and one-half years of drought, Elijah prayed again for rain and it rained, (James 5:18). Again, God honored his prayers.
If God is not responding to your prayers you have no power with Him.
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Every Persistent Prayer Has This Feature!
God responds to a person who is persistent in prayers. Every persistent prayer is an effective one. And all effective prayers are powerful prayers.
Nevertheless, for effective prayers to be powerful they must by divine character be persistent prayers.
Elijah’s prayers were powerful prayers not because he prayed once, but because he persisted in prayers. He demonstrated his persistence in prayer.
He went up to the top of Mount Carmel and while he was on the ground he prayed the same powerful prayer eight times to God.
Many Christians stop praying after two or more times. But you should never quit.
In this scripture, “he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees”, (1 Kings 18:42).
Many skeptics would say, the above scripture did not say the prophet was praying. True. But they know neither the Scriptures nor the power of the Lord God.
But, in the scripture immediately below Apostle James explains what Elijah was doing on the ground.
“And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit”(James 5:18).
What have you been praying for? Don’t give up now. Press forward in prayers because through earnestly praying to God you will have it!
Being Persistent in Prayers Always Produce These!
First, he prayed then he sent his assistant to investigate for any sign of rain far out at sea. Then, he prayed seven more times, so he prayed eight times, but his help went up to see seven times.
Elijah instructed his assistant “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So “he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing”. Then, the prophet said, “Go again seven times” (1 Kings 18:43).
“And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.” (1 Kings 18:44).
Persistent prayers are always powerful prayers! And the following scriptures will prove this to be true.
3). What Could You Learn About Persistence in Prayers From Zacharias?
“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John”, (Luke 1:13).
Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth prayed the same prayer persistently for many years.
Gabriel, told him “thy prayer is heard”. So why did he say a prayer instead of prayers? He had been praying for a son all those years.
Therefore, the Messenger of God, Gabriel, instructed him, “and your wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son” as a result of your persistent prayers. God hears persistent prayers and He responds to them.
Now Zacharias and Elizabeth were both old, (Luke 1:18). Imagine, them being married for at least thirty years, by Jewish customs and traditions.
Also imagine, that they have been praying the same prayer for a son all those years! They were persistent in their prayers to God for a son.
Therefore, they prayed the same prayer repeatedly. That’s why Gabriel said a “prayer” and not “prayers“.
They, by praying the same prayer to God for many years reveal what?
4). This Soldier Was Persistent in His Prayers
Let’s observe a final instance of a non-Christian being persistent in prayers, which resulted in a life-changing experience for many.
Cornelius was neither a Jew nor a Christian. Nevertheless, he desired eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ, so he fasted and prayed about this frequently.
We are aware of this because the Bible says, he was philanthropic, dedicated, revered God, “and prayed to God [always]”, (Acts 10:2).
We know his powerful prayers were for salvation because of what the angel said to him and because of what Peter instructed him to do.
First, the Messenger from God told him: “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God”, (Acts 10:4).
What is an example of being persistent in the Bible?
Now, this scripture above, by itself, speaks of “prayers”, but we should never utilize one verse of scripture by itself to interpret God’s word. We need at least two witnesses.
Therefore, pay attention to what Cornelius told Peter when he was explaining his encounter with the angel of God.
He said the angel told him, “ thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God”, (Acts 10:31).
Why He Prayed the Same Prayer Multiple Times?
These two Scriptures, (Acts 10:4; 31), inform us that Cornelius prayed the same prayer multiple times over a duration of time. That’s why the angel first said “prayers” because he prayed many times. But, he always prays about the same thing; therefore, later, he said: “prayer” and not “prayers”. There is no contradiction in the Word of God. None!
Additionally, the Angel of God informed Cornelius that Apostle Peter shall “tell thee what thou [ought] to do”, (Acts 10:6).
Subsequently, when he came he asked:“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” (Acts 1047).
Then, Apostle Peter told them what to do. He “commanded them [Cornelius and his household] to be baptized in the name of the Lord”, (Acts 10:48). All this tells us what Cornelius prayed frequently about.
How to Experience Powerful Prayers?
Finally, Abraham, Elijah, Zacharias, and Cornelius were persistent in their prayers. They believed and obeyed God. As a result, their prayers were powerful because God heard and answered them.
Our prayers are not disparate from our conversations. They are one and the same, for whatever we speak we shall have because we are made in the image of our God. His words create. And ours do too.
To experience powerful prayers, daily we must align our conversations with the Word of God. Speak only what the Bible says, nothing more; nothing less.
We cannot speak whatever we desire but come prayer time we expect to obtain what we say. That will never work.
Be an Example of the Believers in Being Persistent in Prayers
Apostle James teaches an identical doctrine:
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless [us] God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth [proceeded] blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him [show] out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom”, (James 3:8-13).
Thus, I encourage you to be an example of the Believers in Jesus Christ in your daily conversations! Allow them to glorify and magnify the holy name of Jesus Christ!
The Lord Desires Us to Persevere in Prayers to Him
Some Christians may say, “Sometimes repeatedly asking for the same thing demonstrates our unwillingness to accept God’s response.”
However, this is not true for a Believer who understands how the Lord operates. When we make petitions to the Lord we make some assumptions based on the Scriptures and how He responded in other situations.
- Our time is not the Lord’s time.
- We don’t know when He will respond but we know that He will.
- If our request is good for us the Lord will not deny us.
- Our persistence is in no way attempting to force the hand of God but to demonstrate our faith in Him.
- When the Lord responds we will know.
- If the Lord doesn’t respond to our requests, we possess no power with Him!
- The Lord desires us to persevere in prayers to Him.
FAQs – Persistent In Prayers
The prayer that Zacharias, John the Baptist’s father, prayed is an example of persistent prayer. Click the link to learn more about it!
The prayers of Elijah, Zacharias, Cornelious, and Abraham are indeed examples of persistent prayer found in the Holy Bible!
Yes! The birth of John the Baptist and Samuel are stories of persistent prayer coming true.
More Frequently Asked Questions on Persistent In Prayer
All the Prophets of God prayed. This includes King David in the Psalms.
Jesus prayed. The Apostles prayed.
The woman with the issue of blood for twelve years. The group of friends who lowered a lame man through the roof before Jesus.
That you continue praying to the Lord even when you do not see any answers to your prayers.
Conclusion
Why Is Being Persistent in Prayers Important?
So, to conclude, for you to experience power with God you must obey Him. Next, align your conversations with His Word, then become persistent in prayers to Him.
By far, the most effective manner to believe in God and be persistent in prayers is to hide His words in our hearts. And in this regard memorization of scriptures is king.
Jesus teaches a parable that informs us that our petitions are powerful when we persist in them.
Therefore, he instructs “men ought always to pray, and not to faint”, (Luke 18:1).
Do you have a problem you’ve been praying about? Don’t stop. Persist in prayer. Through your persistence in prayer, God will grant your request.
My mom prayed for thirty years for my Dad to accept Christ and today, he is saved. You must become persistent in your prayers to see results.
Benefits of Being Persistent in Prayers
The importance of persistent prayer is fundamental to our relationship with the Lord God. One of the most important features of this is that it displays trust in God.
When we persist in prayers over time it demonstrates to God that we believe in Him. And because we do we are waiting in prayer until His will is done in our lives.
It requires faith in God to wait on Him. How do we wait? We wait actively not passively!
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Hebrews 10:36
Twenty-four years ago, at the time of this writing, the Lord told me “He would put his word into me. Yet, I continue to study His word and ask His guidance in understanding it, but I see where this promise has produced fruit in me.
For, today, I really know and understand the Word of God. That takes twenty-four years to the day to mature. I could only have gotten here because I persisted in prayers over the years while believing the Word of God.
Finally, persistence in prayer to the Lord God always demonstrates faith in Him. Abraham, John the Baptist’s parents, Cornelius, and I show this to be true.
The Lord never rewards quitters!
Great post.
Hi, I am here for the first time. I came across this blog and I
find It really useful. It helped me out a lot. Now, I understand why to persist in prayer.
I hope to give something back and aid others as you aided me.
This is an awesome teaching on persistent prayers. It has clarified so much and I will use these principles. Thank you
Thanks for stopping by and investing your time in my work to God Cheryl! Blessings
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