by Melissa Sharp
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” Luke 18:1
In a heartwarming story titled “Senior dog follows runner all the way home. Now, ‘persistent’ pup is up for adoption” published by the Miami Herald, the writer recounts the story about a dog who followed a runner all the way home and now this “persistent” older pup was up for adoption. He was brought to the shelter by a woman who was exercising when she saw him lying motionless near her running path. When she checked to see if he was still alive, he woke up. The dog followed her on the rest of her run, and then followed her home and slept on her porch until she finally took him to the animal shelter. She noted he was “very persistent.”
This reminds me of a parable of Jesus from Luke 18:
Then [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
Jesus encourages us to be persistent about what matters—even when dealing with authorities who don’t hold to the truth of God. The corrupt judge who lacked compassion and had no fear of God was repeatedly approached by a woman seeking justice. Initially rejecting her demands, he eventually honors her request because he’s worn out by her persistence.
We must build tenacity and faithfulness to effectively carry out our great purpose!
Jesus taught us to be persistent in prayer:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
God wants us to keep on asking, seeking, knocking, and praying until the answers come. Why? Well, as Pastor Rick Henderson explains,
“Our persistence doesn’t change God; it changes us. God uses our persistence to mold us, shape us and tune our hearts with His. Sometimes the persistence doesn’t pay off in the way we might expect, but the persistence will always achieve the purpose it was set out for: to perfect the pray-er.”
So if you don’t think your prayers have been answered, don’t give up praying, my friend. God’s answer will come to pass in His perfect timing, for His perfect purpose. So don’t give up! Ever! True disciples of Jesus are known for their supernatural faith because they are persistent in prayer to their righteous, loving and omnipotent Father.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that some prayers are answered instantly while some are answered only after months, years, or even decades of praying. Lord, help us to be known as people that never give up praying no matter how bleak the situation might appear. It’s in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
