Persistent Prayer
pray without ceasing,
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
Luke 18:1 NKJV
We know the story of the widow who persistently visited the unjust judge to get her justice against her adversary. She had nobody to help her. But she went and put her request consistently before the judge. Only because of her persistence the judge worked out the case for her. Jesus gives this story as a parable to make His disciples know the value of constant communion with the heavenly Father through prayer. The Lord’s ears are inclined to the cry of His elect. The choice is ours whether we need His help or not. Jesus asks His disciples if the unjust judge couldn’t ignore the poor widows constant reminders how could the heavenly Father ignore the humble cries of His beloveds.. Moreover God is just and righteous and He cannot tolerate injustice against anyone.
Daniel prayed three times a day without fail. Though he was in Babylon his Windows were open in the direction of Jerusalem, the Lord’s city and his eyes we’re fixed on to the Lord’s mercy. How can the Lord evade his prayers.
The Lord sent His angels to shut the lions’ mouths so that they didn’t hurt him. Daniel knew the Lord’s attributes and he stands in the gap for his people, Israelites and deliverance of Jerusalem. He confessed his own sin and the sins of his ancestors and prayed and put supplications with fasting and humbled himself with sackcloth and ashes as was customary for 21 days. God sent His answer through Gabriel as we read in the scripture.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV
In his epistle to Timothy, apostle Paul tells him to persistently pray for Kings, rulers and all those in authorities, that they take wise decisions at government levels enabling people for a good and peaceful life. Lord wants people to pray for the leaders so that they be efficient and just in their duty to the welfare of the people. granting personal freedom to worship the Lord devoid of oppression and bondage.
Listen to the Lord speaking to Ezekiel lamenting his displeasure against His own people:
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV
Isn’t it our duty to pray for our land, it’s rulers and the total benefit of the people?
Many a time the Lord was angry with Israel as they were rebellious and stiff necked. Israel would have been totally wiped out if Moses had not stood in the breach for them to prevent the Lord’s wrath on several occasions of their ingratitude.
Let us pray without ceasing. Let us bow before the sovereign God that He be compassionate to shower His loving kindness on us and our land. Bless the Lord for all His benefits.
Sol. Dr. Salomi Kurien