Seeds of the Kingdom

Persevere in Prayer

by Tanya Person

21 April 2021

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:41-45, NLT

I was struck anew by this story in 1 Kings when I read it recently. Elijah knew that God was sending rain. He sensed it in his spirit, and he told the king that rain was coming. But he did not just go on his own way. He went up to the mountain and prayed. He kept praying until something happened.

I have heard that expression “PUSH” which means “Pray Until Something Happens”, but how many of us give up? We pray for something to happen and when it doesn’t happen when we think it should, we think God must not want to answer our prayer. Or maybe we think we have prayed about it, God knows about it, so now we just need to wait. But as I read the story about Elijah, I feel God telling me, “even if you know I am answering, don’t give up praying. Pray until you see the fulfillment.”

I do not want to condemn you if you have given up and got discouraged when your prayers didn’t seem to be answered. I’ve done that too. But God does not condemn us. He is calling us to repent - to turn away from our way of doing things to His way.

May I encourage you today, as I encourage myself, too. Let’s not give up. Let us ask God to help us to keep praying until we see the answer.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have not persevered in prayer. I have given up and been overcome with unbelief. Please help me today to remember the importance of perseverance. Help me to keep looking, even if it takes many times. Give me faith to keep watching to see your answer to my prayer. Amen

Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.

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