“Prayer is the channel of communication between our souls and God. God speaks through His word, we respond to Him through prayer. To strengthen this relationship and satisfy our emotional and spiritual needs, we must learn the power or prayer.” (E.G White, Prayer)
Have you wanted something so much, prayed about it a “thousand times” and it seems like it’s never going to happen? Have your prayers felt like they are in vain? Like God doesn’t hear you at all? I have felt that way a lot of times. I’ve felt like just giving up on a lot of occasions but God has spoken to us through His word and has promised to be there for us. When your situation seems hopeless what are you doing about it, giving up or pressing on? That moment when you feel like you are at your worst and there’s no other way, pray even more. “Pray without ceasing”, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV, however difficult it may be.
“And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.”
1 Samuel 1:12-16 KJV
The story of Hannah is one of the greatest stories ever told about relentless prayer. Peninnah had mocked Hannah because she was barren and this hurt so bad. The gentleness and meekness of Hannah is so admirable. She did not fight with Peninnah because she knew it was no use fighting with the wrong enemy, Hannah went straight to God and wept sore. She cried to God until He granted her the desire of her heart. Though her situation had seemed hopeless, she was barren, she cried to God not even her beloved husband. She knew who would satisfy her deepest longing. The devil mocks us because he knows our deepest desires and that we don’t have them at times. Just like Hannah refused to eat you find we have different ways of dealing with this longing, some struggle with emotional eating and even depression to name a few. The devil uses our longing to push us to the ground and make us feel weak but the time when we feel weak is when we need to pray even more, weep bitterly to God as it may be. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”
1 Samuel 1:10 NIV
“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
Matthew 15:22-28 KJV
The story of the Canaanite woman is remarkable. She would not stop at anything. Not even rejection or painful words said to her would stop her from asking the Lord what she wanted. This is a story of love, respect, courage and faith. This woman was ignored, rejected and reminded she was not a Jew. That wouldn’t stop her from speaking with her Lord. Have you been reminded of your inadequacy that you give up on relentless prayer? Don’t give up, keep praying, keep going on in faith. Don’t give up on praying because Jesus would never give up on you or leave you.
What are you asking God for? Is the ” Peninnah ” in your life mocking you and making you miserable? Are situations stopping you from getting to Jesus, making you feel like you won’t even be able to “eat the crumbs which fall from the masters table”? I have good news for you, pray relentlessly. Do not let doubt creep in to your mind because all it does is steal your joy away. Like the two women here we see something in common, they did not allow anyone to stop them from getting their blessings. Are you allowing someone to stop you from receiving your blessing. Don’t give up. Hold on, ” Pray without ceasing”. You might be one prayer away from a miracle so hold on and be strong.
Maybe you’re praying for a husband/wife, job,child, finances, you name it. I know too well the pressure, people reminding you you’re getting too old and biological clock is ticking (the Peninnahs). Any of that sound familiar? Truth is God created that biology, so He can change things Himself. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14 NIV.
Let’s us all lean on God’s promises, nothing is too hard for Him, at the appointed time He will give us the desires of our hearts. Pray without ceasing, pray relentlessly. Pursue God in prayer and never give up, wait on Him and all in good time God will bless you.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise. “There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will fail to persevere in prayer”. ( E.G. White, Christ object lessons p175)
toyamaxi says
Praise God thanks for this encouragement!
Zanele says
Amen!
Lydia says
This is powerful dear I’m blessed .
Martina Banda says
Reading these words have encouraged me to have faith in God!I am believing God for a breakthrough in my life and these words came at the right time! Proverbs 3:5.
Amen!