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SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 32:22-31
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5
LUKE 18:1-8

SUNDAY REFLECTION

“Persistence in Prayer” is the theme for our Sunday reflection. Persistence in prayer means continuing to pray consistently, especially through difficulties, to show commitment, deepen one’s relationship with God, and trust in His timing. It is an intentional act of faith that involves asking, seeking, and knocking with the confidence that God will answer, even if the answer is not what was expected. We shall consider two points:

1. Persistence in prayer demonstrates our resolve to experience God’s blessings in our lives.
2. Persistence in prayer enables us to endure when we encounter challenges in serving God.

Firstly, persistence in prayer is a sign that we have resolved to hold on to God and experience His blessings. In Genesis 32:22-31, we are told that Jacob encountered the Angel of the Lord. “But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” (Genesis 32:26-30) Beloved in the Lord, persistence in prayer means you are not letting go of the Lord, but would be in His presence until He manifests His glory in your life. Hannah is another example of persistence in prayer; she kept on praying until God blessed her barren womb and she started giving birth. I may not know your current struggle or condition, but the truth is that our persistence in prayer does not go unnoticed by God. He reveals His glory and blesses those who are consistent in faith and persistent in prayer. David’s persistent in prayer is worth emulationg when he prayed, “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. (Psalms 86:1-4) For the purpose of emphasise, David demonstrated His faith in God and proved that he was persistent in prayer when he wrote, “You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.” (Psalms 86:2-3). Do you also pray all day long or as and when it is convenient? While Jacob held on to the Angel throughout the night for his blessings, David also prayed all day long for his joy. Beloved in the Lord, there is no timetable for a prayer for a believer who persists in prayer; it is for this reason Paul admonished us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Persistent prayer is faith in motion without barriers. We are greatly encouraged to maintain a prayer life that is persistent and proactive and not reactive. Don’t wait for something to happen before you pray, but always pray knowing that God is with you. Let us continue be thankful and persistent prayer for God to provide what is lacking in our lives.

Secondly, persistence in prayer enables us to endure when we encounter challenges in serving God. Like the persistent woman who continuously knocked on the door of the judge “who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.” (Luke 18:2) until he gave her justice, so must we also be persistent in prayer, for God is listening and responds to our prayer according to His will and purpose for us. “Jesus said, “…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?” (Luke 18:6-8). Dear friend, this is a great consolation to those of us who are being cheated, taken advantage of or persecuted on account of our faith in the Lord. Let us continuously lay our frustrations and pains before the Lord because He is a pray-answering God.

Additionally, Paul admonished young Timothy to persevere in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. He said to him, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5) This is a great encouragement to all believers who endure persecution and disaffection on account of preaching the truth and the Gospel in a chaotic world. God will grant us the strength to overcome the hurdles of the antichrist and those who are opposed to the light. Let us persist in prayer like our Lord and Master Jesus Christ who said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39). The journey of serving the Lord may not be easy but our heads are kept high and focused in all situations when we endure with persistent prayer and faith. Don’t give my dear brother or sister, you may be doing your best to serve God with integrity and truth, yet the impediments and vindictiveness from your enemies and conspirators are overwhelming. Beloved in the Lord, I do not know what injustice, anger, and frustration you are going through in life, but I can assure you that retaliation and violence are not the way to go as a believer; but through faith and persistence in prayer. God, in His own appointed time, will grant you justice and vindication. I encourage you to persist in prayer, “for those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

In summary, beloved in the Lord, we have discovered that persistence in prayer demonstrates our resolve to experience God’s blessings in our lives. Again, persistence in prayer enables us to endure when we encounter challenges in serving God. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to persist in prayer even as we serve the Lord and experience His glory in our lives. Amen