What does it mean to persist in prayer? Why does God require persistent prayer? What are the benefits of persistent prayer?
It can be challenging to maintain a consistent prayer life. Distractions and busyness often limit our ability to communicate with God.
However, the benefits of persistent prayer are truly life-changing and too many to ignore.
In this article, you will discover the power of persistent prayer, powerful reasons to persist in prayer, and compelling reasons why you should prioritize prayer in your daily life.
You will find the following resources in this article:
- What is Persistent?
- 15 Benefits of Persistent Prayer.
- How long should we Pray for Something?
- Frequently asked Questions about Praying Persistently.
What is Persistent Prayer?
Persistent prayer or praying persistently is to continually seek God through prayer, even amid trials. In other words, it is a relentless effort to communicate with God and continuously build a deeper relationship with Him.
Persistent prayer involves faith, perseverance, and willingness to trust in God’s plan and timing. It’s never a one-time thing or a quick prayer in times of need, but a consistent habit of seeking God.
This type of prayer always leads to a deeper understanding of who God is and unwavering faith. Persistent prayer requires discipline, focus, and a heart that is open to God’s voice and receptive to His will.
The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 is a perfect example of how we ought to keep asking God for our needs in prayer. Jesus told this parable to illustrate the importance of persistence in prayer.
In the parable, this poor widow repeatedly asked the judge for justice against her adversary. Despite the judge’s initial refusal to help, the widow persisted and eventually wore him down with her continuous visit and request.
Jesus concluded this parable by saying that if persistent requests could wear out an unjust judge, how much more will God, who loves us and desires to give us good things?
Daniel’s persistent prayer is another example of persistent prayer and the incredible answers he got to show the importance of persistence in prayer and the result it produces.
Now to answer this question: why should we persist in prayer? Keep reading, and you will discover the power of persistent prayer and its many benefits.
15 Monumental Benefits of Persistent Prayer.
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It Fosters a Deeper Relationship with God.
One of the many benefits of persistent prayer is that it enhances our relationship with God. By consistently seeking God’s intervention in different aspects of our lives through prayer, we develop a deeper relationship with Him.
In other words, praying persistently draws us to a more intimate and meaningful relationship with God. This is just as the Bible says in James 4:8 – come near to God, and he will come near to you.
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It helps us Overcome Temptation and Sin.
Persistent prayer assists us in overcoming temptations and sins by strengthening our spiritual resolve and improving our rapport with God.
The Holy Spirit further guides and strengthens us to overcome our weaknesses as we continue to pray. This is as Scripture tells us in James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Put differently; persistent prayer helps us submit to God and resist temptations.
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It helps us Persevere Through Trials.
Praying relentlessly helps us persevere through trials because we get divinely connected to God, who strengthens us when we pray ceaselessly. We also grow in faith and learn to trust God more fully.
Additionally, we learn to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer, as Romans 12:12 says. In sum, persistent prayer enables us to remain faithful believers and patient during trials.
This is because we know God is with us and will never leave us to ourselves.
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It brings about Spiritual Growth and Maturity.
Another thing we gain by praying persistently is that we grow and mature spiritually. We also better understand God’s word, which enhances our spiritual growth.
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It Deepens our Understanding of God’s Will.
Praying persistently deepens our understanding of God’s will. Through it, we align our desires with God’s and gain clarity on the steps we need to take.
Interestingly, the more we pray, the more we understand God’s plans for us. By persistently seeking Him in prayer, our understanding of His will and purpose for our lives become clearer by the day.
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It brings about Abundant Blessings and Breakthroughs.
Another significant benefit of persistent prayer is that it brings about blessings and breakthroughs in our lives. This is because when we pray persistently, we show our faith in God’s ability to do wondrous things in our lives.
In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says – If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. This is why we are bound to receive God’s blessings and breakthroughs when we pray relentlessly.
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It brings about Spiritual Discernment and Wisdom for Living.
Persistent prayer also brings about spiritual discernment. When we pray regularly, we become more attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit and better able to discern matters affecting different aspects of our lives spiritually.
Persistent prayer also helps us seek and receive God’s wisdom. James 1:5 says – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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It helps us Overcome Anxiety and Worry.
By praying, we are casting our cares upon God and trusting Him to take care of us. As we continue to pray, we develop a deeper trust in God, which helps calm our fears, anxieties, and worries.
This is just as the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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It strengthens our obedience to God’s will.
Being persistent in prayer is also beneficial in the sense that it strengthens our ability to obey God and do His will by aligning our hearts with His plans for us. The more we pray, the more we develop a greater desire to follow His precepts.
We seek and find God’s will for our lives as we pray without ceasing. Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
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It Protects from Harm.
One benefit of persistent prayer is that we enjoy divine protection.
God safeguards us from dangerous situations, including from physical harm, because He promises us thus in Psalm 91:11- He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
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It Invites the Holy Spirit into our Situations.
By being persistent in prayer, we continuously invite the Holy Spirit into our situations to work on our behalf. He works in ways we cannot understand in different areas of our lives.
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Brings Divine Provision.
When we pray persistently, we can also trust that God will provide for us according to His riches in glory.
Scripture affirms this in Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. As we persist in prayer, God always provides for us in ways that exceed our expectations.
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It helps us Overcome Spiritual Attacks.
Ephesians 6:12 says – Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Persistent prayer allows us to resist evil and the schemes of the devil. It equips us to overcome spiritual attacks and find both strength and refuge in God.
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It brings about Divine Intervention in Situations.
Another important benefit of persistent prayer is that it always brings divine interventions in situations that seem impossible or beyond our control. When we pray persistently, we acknowledge our need for God’s help and invite Him to intervene in our circumstances.
Philippians 4:6 says – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. You should present your requests to God persistently; that’s what brings results.
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It makes us Experience the Miraculous.
Last but not least, persistent prayer often leads us to experience the miraculous. When we persistently pray, we receive divine intervention and breakthroughs.
Scripture tells us in Matthew 17:20 that we can move mountains with faith and persistent prayer. By trusting God and persistently seeking Him, we are bound to experience the power of His love, grace, and miracles in our lives.
How Long Should We Pray for Something?
I have heard believers ask, “How long should I pray for something before I can expect an answer? Others have also asked, “Is it acceptable to repeatedly pray for the same thing, or should we ask only once?
The truth is, there is no set time frame for how long we should pray for something. Scripture teaches us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to persist in prayer (See Luke 18:1-8).
This means that we should pray continually and never give up, even when it appears our prayers are not being answered. God wants us to trust in His timing and plan, knowing His thoughts toward us are good and not evil, to give us an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).
In some cases, God may answer our prayers immediately, while in others, it may take years for our prayers to be answered. It’s also important to remember that God’s answer to our prayers may not be what we expected or hoped for.
But we must trust Him and continue to pray for as long as it takes, knowing that our prayers are heard, and God is working in our lives, even if we can’t see it.
Matthew 7:7-8 says – 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.
Therefore, we must never give up on our prayers but continue to pray persistently with faith.
Summary
Through persistent prayer, we overcome temptation, receive divine provision, and experience the miraculous. However, it’s important to remember that persistent prayer requires faith and perseverance.
So, as you persistently seek God through prayer, we can trust in His timing and plan, knowing He hears your prayers and is working for your good. I urge you to continue to engage in persistent prayer and experience the abundant blessings that come with it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Praying Persistently.
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What is the Power of Persistent Prayer?
Persistent prayer has a transforming impact on our lives. By continually praying, we are strengthened spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Persistent prayer helps us deepen our relationship with God and increase our faith.
It also helps us forgive easily, overcome temptation and sin, and experience the miraculous. In sum, the power of persistent prayer lies in our willingness to persistently bring our requests to God and trust in His timing and plan.
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What is the Advantage of Persistence?
The advantage of persistent prayer is both multifaceted and life-changing. When we persistently pray, we grow spiritually and gain clarity and direction. We are also able to overcome temptation and experience healing.
Persistent prayer also offers spiritual discernment, wisdom for living, peace, and joy, and protection from harm and spiritual attacks. Overall, it helps us maintain an intimate relationship with God and leads to eternal life.
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What Happens when you are Persistent?
When you are persistent, you are committed to achieving a goal despite any challenges or setbacks. Persistence is a valuable trait that often leads to success in many areas of life, including career, relationships, and personal growth.
When you are persistent, you develop resilience, determination, and willingness to learn from mistakes or failures. You become more focused, disciplined, and confident in your abilities.
Moreover, persistence helps you stay motivated. It gives you the ability to maintain momentum toward achieving your goals. In essence, persistence is vital for achieving long-term success in any area of life.