Persistence

“Because of his shamelessness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”—Luke 11:8–9 NASB

A man came from Ireland to observe the London meetings of Reuben Archer Torrey. His assignment was to report to his grandfather whether this was “a real work of God.”

Years earlier, the grandfather had been part of a commission sent to America to study revivals sweeping America. They concluded that these revivals were real moves of God.

Encouraged, many Irish people, including four men from Kells, started praying every Saturday for years for revival in their country. The grandfather was one of those men. But nothing seemed to happen.

After the grandson reported that Torrey’s crusade was of God, the men decided to preach in an effort to bring about revival. But “their attempt was a failure, so they went back and kept on praying.” Finally, “the fire of God fell.” God had rewarded their persistence.

Lives were changed dramatically. “Courts adjourned because there were no cases to try; jails were closed because there were no prisoners.” Many “notorious and hardened and hopeless sinners” were converted. People were so consumed by the things of God that they had no time to attend even to ordinary matters.

These men learned the power of persistent prayer—to keep praying even if they didn’t immediately see results. Their continual prayers eventually produced fruit.

That same principle is still true. Do you believe in the power of prayer? Pray earnestly. Pray without ceasing.

Reflection Question:Write out one of your most persistent prayers.