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How quickly do you give up on prayer?

In a culture of instant satisfaction the thought of committing to long-term prayer seems foreign. We have free two-day shipping on packages from across the world, we have instant food, and we can even watch an entire season of TV in one sitting.

I do not have evidence to support this, but I would assume most of us are great at praying fervently for a specific need or situation for a few days, but we don’t continue praying longer than that. If God hasn’t shown up in a day or two, like the Amazon package we ordered, then all seems lost and we give up on prayer. We throw our hands up and say that God hasn’t answered us. God rarely works on our timetable. Prayer takes time and intentionality as it shapes our hearts and transforms us into the likeness of Jesus. 

In this passage we see that the angel Gabriel visits Zechariah to announce that his wife will become pregnant with John the Baptist. Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for years for a child and now in their old age, the prayer seems more like a distant wish than a reality. 

When Gabriel appears to Zechariah he says, “your prayer has been heard.” There are times in life when we wonder if our prayers are heard. Your prayer might not be answered with a “yes” from God but you can trust that your prayer has been heard.

Here are a few encouragements for your prayer life as you spend time with God. 

Prayer Must Be Honest

Prayer should be a honest and open conversation with God, but some fall into the scripted prayers that only thank God for the day and our food. I’m grateful for food and I’m thankful that I have another day to live on mission with my family, but prayer should be deeper than that. Think of prayer as an ongoing conversation with God. Let Him know if you are mad, joyful, broken, or confused. He can handle your frustrations. After all, He is God.

Prayer Must Be Persistent

Your passion for change or opportunities should bring you to prayer each day. Voice your prayers with passion and hope as you seek answers, comfort, or wisdom from God. Don’t give up after a few days of prayer – commit to pray for this area until God moves or He moves your heart.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In the Bible we see that Abraham waited 25 years for his promised son to be born. David waited over 15 years from the time he was anointed in the pasture until he was the king in the palace. Nehemiah prayed for five months before he was able to return to his home country to rebuild the walls. Don’t quit praying when your prayer hasn’t been answered on your timeline. Pray for God’s timing to be revealed and God’s will to be done. 

Prayer Must Be Consistent

Prayer is a spiritual discipline for us to strengthen through consistent obedience. We pray when we are in times of plenty and in times of need. We pray to celebrate and to mourn. We pray to lift up our praises and requests. Prayer should be present in your daily life. I would suggest coming up with a way for you to capture your prayer that keeps you in a rhythm of praying each day. I prefer journaling in a Moleskine notebook or on my Macbook with the Day One App.

Apply: 

• Is something weighing down on you? 
• Are you honest, persistent, and consistent in communicating with God? 
• How can you prioritize prayer today? 

Respond:

God, we thank you that you are approachable. Through Jesus we have access to you. Your Spirit goes before us on our behalf – even when we don’t know what we should pray. Help us to pray more honestly, more persistently, and more consistently this week. Amen.

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The F260 NT Bible reading plan and HEAR Journal method is from Replicate Ministries.