Prayer Connection

Persistence In Prayer

Years ago, at a retreat I was taught that prayer should be an ongoing conversation between us and Jesus. Where we bring all our needs before him with unwavering faith and that he hears us and is willing to help in every aspect of life. We just need to take the time to talk it over with Him.

Jesus told his disciples a parable of a persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. It begins with an explanation of its meaning, “that they (the disciples) ought always to pray and not lose heart.” To “lose heart” means to “lose one’s motivation in continuing a desirable pattern of conduct or activity”; lose enthusiasm, be discouraged. Romans 12:12 says “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.” A quote I read somewhere that stuck with me; “We should pray when the sun is shining as well as when it rains.” We often pray only when we are in trouble or feeling desperate. Don’t forget to rejoice!

God answers prayer but on His own timeline not ours. It can be so easy to ask for help once but when the answer isn’t instantly given, we give up and try to “fix” it ourselves usually with unsatisfactory results. Unlike the widow in the parable, continuing to pray for the solution. I read a great analogy – “if your life was an automobile, prayer could be described as the steering wheel guiding us where we need to go. Unfortunately for many of us, prayer is more like the spare tire, seldom used or needed until something goes flat.”

Just a reminder- when you need help with your prayers for a solution for your need, a problem, or decision, whether for you, a family member or friend, come to the prayer room after the services on the 4th Sunday of the month. You will be met by two “prayer warriors” from our prayer team who are trained listeners and hold what they hear in strictest confidence. However, If you need prayer you don’t have to wait until the 4th Sunday, ask any member of the prayer team, anytime, and we will pray with you.