Over the last few weeks, the Lord has pressed upon me that prayer alone is not enough to get the breakthrough needed in some situations.
“Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29)
There is a saying that prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door! I picture myself having made it to the door with fervent prayer. I’m there and I see it so clearly, yet it’s just me and the door. It’s there and it actually looks inviting yet somehow it’s just there and I know it’s what stands between me and all of the things God has in store for me on the other side. I don’t think I’m afraid for the Lord has carried me through so much so I have the faith to believe but I think somehow I’ve been misled to think that if He doesn’t answer me the very first time, His answer is no or I’m at the wrong door.
21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” 26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. (Matthew 15:21-28)
I ask you as I ask myself, “How bad do you want it?” Better yet, “If He has shown you that it will come to pass, why do you now doubt as you wait for it?” You’ve prayed once and that’s it. Allowing the word of God to do the work, I realize that I’m still touching the tip of the iceberg as I seek to reach new levels in prayer, in my faith, in my walk with the Lord:
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) And so, I’m glad to know that I’m heading in the right direction and my faith tells me that I’m almost there-that I’m definitely closer than I’ve ever been. Prayer, faith, fasting and now I must add PERSISTENCE. That’s what the Gentile woman did.
Like the energizer bunny, I must not give up. For the things He has shown me and things I am confident are mine to possess, I know that I must take a licking and keep on ticking. I’ll keep praying and praying and praying. I’ll keep on keeping on!