{"id":56694,"date":"2019-06-14T14:04:31","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T11:04:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=56694"},"modified":"2025-09-28T00:06:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T21:06:03","slug":"keep-praying-to-god-without-giving-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/06\/14\/keep-praying-to-god-without-giving-up\/","title":{"rendered":"KEEP PRAYING TO GOD WITHOUT GIVING UP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KEEP PRAYING TO GOD WITHOUT GIVING UP<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I was young, our older brother often brought gifts when he came home from school. Sometimes he would stop by a bakery and bring us meat samosas or other treats. He bought gifts for everyone, but my sibling and I had a habit: whenever we got our share, we would eat quickly so we could finish and ask for more before our portions ran out.<\/p>\n

At first, he would chase us away, telling us not to bother him. But we never stopped asking. You could see how angry he was\u2014frustrated and annoyed\u2014but we kept at it. He would warn us that if we continued, he might hit us. Yet we didn\u2019t stop, like persistent flies buzzing around. Eventually, seeing that we wouldn\u2019t give up, he would smile and give in, laughing as he split the samosas in half and shared them with us.<\/p>\n

He started off angry, but in the end, it ended in laughter. He would say, \u201cAlright, come and get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This illustrates a spiritual principle: persistence in prayer leads to results<\/strong>. Jesus used similar illustrations to teach His disciples the same lesson.<\/p>\n

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Persistence in Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Luke 18:1\u20138 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cThen Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: \u2018In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about people. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, \u201cGrant me justice against my adversary.\u201d For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, \u201cEven though I don\u2019t fear God or care about people, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won\u2019t eventually come and attack me.\u201d\u2019 And the Lord said, \u2018Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Theological insight:<\/strong> This parable demonstrates God\u2019s faithfulness and justice<\/strong>. Unlike the unjust judge, God is both loving and righteous; He answers prayers not because we pester Him, but because He delights in His children and is committed to His covenant promises. Persistence in prayer reflects faith and trust in God\u2019s timing<\/strong>, not merely human stubbornness.<\/p>\n

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Persistence Bears Fruit<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Luke 11:5\u201310 (ESV)<\/strong>
\u201cAnd he said to them, \u2018Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, \u201cFriend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,\u201d and he will answer from within, \u201cDo not bother me; the door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything\u201d? I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Theological insight:<\/strong> Jesus emphasizes faith coupled with persistence<\/strong>. Prayer is not a magical formula; it is relational. God invites us into intimate communion, where asking, seeking, and knocking demonstrate dependence on Him. The promise is universal: \u201ceveryone who asks receives\u201d<\/em>\u2014God is not arbitrary but perfectly generous.<\/p>\n

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Prayer Aligns Our Will with God\u2019s Will<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some believers fear asking for great things, thinking God cannot or will not respond. However, Scripture teaches that our requests must align with God\u2019s will:<\/p>\n

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1 John 5:14\u201315 (KJV)<\/strong>
\u201cAnd this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Theological insight:<\/strong> Persistent prayer is not just about receiving blessings; it shapes our hearts to discern God\u2019s will. It develops spiritual maturity, teaches dependence, and strengthens our faith.<\/p>\n

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The Power of Righteous Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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James 5:16\u201318 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cThe prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Theological insight:<\/strong> Prayer is an instrument of God\u2019s power. The righteous are not superhuman; their efficacy comes from intimate relationship with God. Persistent prayer can shape circumstances, align with divine purposes, and release God\u2019s providential power.<\/p>\n

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Pray for the Greatest Gift<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The greatest prayer is for God\u2019s own presence: the Holy Spirit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Matthew 11:13\u201314 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cFor all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Theological insight:<\/strong> The Holy Spirit is God\u2019s seal (Ephesians 1:13), our guide, and the source of spiritual gifts and fruit. Asking for the Spirit is foundational; through Him, all other blessings are understood and received in alignment with God\u2019s kingdom purposes.<\/p>\n

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Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Like the persistent child and the generous brother, or the widow and the unjust judge, God responds to faithful, persistent prayer. Do not limit your prayers. Do not become discouraged. Whether your needs are immediate or long-term, persist in asking, seeking, and knocking. God\u2019s promises are sure: \u201ceveryone who asks receives; everyone who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened\u201d<\/em> (Luke 11:10, NIV).<\/p>\n

May you be abundantly blessed, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and filled with unwavering faith in God\u2019s faithful promises.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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