Daily Devotional – Saturday, March 18, 2023
Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:48 (NKJV
Prayer is to the Christian what food is to a human being. Without constant communion with God, we risk spiritual malnutrition and death. Nonetheless, because God does not always answer our petitions promptly, we need to learn the power of persistence in prayer. Two illustrations from scripture will suffice.
Tenaciousness in Prayer
The first one is the healing of a blind Bartimaeus. He hears Jesus is in town and wastes no chance to get the attention of this renowned Healer. As Christ emerges from the gates of Jericho, with a crowd in tow, the son of Timaeus shouts, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47).
“Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Mark 10:48). The blind man wants healing so desperately that he makes even more noise. Jesus turns, calls Bartimaeus and restores the man’s sight. In essence, Jesus rewards Bartimaeus for persistent prayers and faith.
Unless You bless me…
The second illustration is a wrestling match between Jacob and the angel of God. The younger son of Isaac is about to meet his fiery brother – Esau. Jacob reckons this will be a violent meeting. The last time they were together, crafty Jacob stole the birthright from his elder brother.
On the night of Jacob’s return, a strong man attacks him. He thinks it is Esau. The two fight aggressively until the intruder touches the socket of Jacob’s hip. Jacob realizes the intruder is not a human being. When the Angel of God asks Jacob to release him, Jacob demands, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26). God obliges because Jacob is persistent.
The Power of Persistence in Prayer
Have you prayed for so long without answer that you have begun to give up? Are there voices within and outside your heart telling you to give up, like the crowd trying to silence the blind man? Shout the more! Spend even more time in prayer. If you really need it, do not keep quiet until you get it.
Moreover, like Jacob, learn to wrestle with God in prayer. It does not matter how long your night of trouble and darkness will last. Continue in prayer. Even if it takes night vigils, sore knees and sleepy eyes, keep knocking on Heaven’s door because God will open it eventually. That is the power of persistence in prayer.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me how to persevere in prayer, like Bartimaeus and Jacob.
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