Warrior Wednesdays: Persistent Prayer

Persistent: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Refusing to give up or let go.

One of the most common phrases to Christians is P.U.S.H  Pray Until Something Happens. Although this is not always easy today's bible reading demonstrates the importance of PUSH! Luke 18 begins with a story about a widow who came to a judge persistently to ask him to avenge her of her adversaries. In those days a widow was a second rate citizen and needed a man to speak for her. God's law was to take care of widows. He recognized that they would be treated unfairly. Despite her social status this widow came to this judge consistently to plead her case. Unfortunately, the judge had no fear for God so he did not respect God's law of caring for widows and he had no regard for man especially a widow. He could care less about the woman's problem.  Too often if we feel inferior we will give up easily. Many of us give up the first time we are rejected. We may not try something because we feel we may be judge. When we feel inferior or are hurt by rejection remember this widow who was persistent in her petition. 

Eventually, the widow's persistence paid off. The judge had no interest in helping the woman, however because she annoyed him he gave in and helped her.  Luke 18:5"...because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her. lest by her continual coming she weary me." Jesus used this story to demonstrate the power of persistence. If an unjust person will help someone who is persistent how much more will God who loves us do for us? Luke 18:7"...Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him...I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" With God's promise to help us if we pray continuously we should have no doubt that he will come through! Genesis 30 shows an example of what happens when we do not pray constantly, but take matters into our own hands. 

Competition can be fierce especially between sisters.  Leah and Rachel were in a baby making competition! Fortunately, for  Leah God blessed her to have multiple sons however, Rachel was barren. As Leah began to have more and more sons Rachel became envious and desperate. In her desperate state she gave her handmaid to her husband instead of praying persistently and waiting on God. Jacob should have known better than to agree to have children with Rachel's handmaid because his mother and father had gone through this same situation as well as his grandmother and grandfather.  In the prior two generations one made the choice to take matters into their own hands and the other waited on God. Sarah I Jacob's grandmother)was barren so she gave Hagar her maidservant to Abraham and then became jealous of Hagar when she conceived and mad with Abraham. Rebekah (Jacob's mother) was barren and Isaac prayed to God and he blessed her to have twins! Unfortunately, Jacob chose the same direction as his grandfather Abraham.  Once Rachel's handmaid had a child Leah gave Jacob her handmaid and the competition continued.  Had Rachel waited she would have received the children that God eventually gave her without bringing other people into the family mix.

When we feel like our prayers are going unanswered we should continue to pray day and night until it happens. Luke 18: 1 Men ought always to pray, and not to faint".  Let's believe that what we are longing for will come to pass! 

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney