PERSPECTIVE

Our perspective determines how we think affecting our emotions, which then impact our actions. Jesus taught His disciples to have the right perspective on prayer through a parable about a man asking for help from a friend (Luke 11:5-8). Jesus is saying that God is more than a friend, He is our Father. Unlike the friend in the parable, when we keep asking, God is never bothered! Jesus tells of another parable about an unjust judge and a widow (Luke 18:1-8). Out of annoyance, the unjust judge helped the widow out who kept on asking for help. God is not like the judge who is annoyed at our cries for help; He is more than willing to answer our prayers in our helplessness.  

Jesus encourages us to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking (Luke 11:9-10). Perseverance in prayer makes us grow spiritually and allows us to listen to the Holy Spirit. Persistent prayer is not forcing God to listen to us; it’s making us listen to God.  

PLAN

Many of us think prayer is just asking for things, but there is something greater than material or earthly blessings. The greatest blessing of prayer is God Himself!  David’s pursuit in life is to dwell in the house of the Lord, to be in God's presence continually, and to behold the beauty of the Lord while seeking Him in His temple. His desire is a close and intimate relationship with God and making Him the central focus and priority of his life. (Psalm 27:4). Even amid danger, David did not ask God to kill his enemy or to fulfill His promise to make him king. David had opportunities to kill King Saul but did not (1 Samuel 26:9-11). He did not compromise and waited upon the Lord and the fulfillment of His plans at the right time. God has a wonderful reason - God’s plan was to mature David to be king. When our prayers are not answered, we must understand that delays are God’s instrument to mold our character.

PROMISE

God promises to give what is best for us. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift God gives us. Once we have God’s Spirit, we have power and eternal life!

The key qualification for God's promise to answer our prayers is aligning with God's will (1 John 5:14). Understanding God's will empower us to confidently claim His promises. Elijah serves as an example of claiming God's promises (James 1:17), showcasing effectiveness in prayer aligning with God's will (James 5:16-18). While it may seem superficially that Elijah had control over the weather, a closer look at the Old Testament reveals that he wasn't credited for withholding rain; rather, it was God's promise linked to the call for King Ahab's repentance from wickedness.

After three and a half years of drought, God instructs Elijah to inform King Ahab about the impending rainfall (1 Kings 18:1). God could have sent rain without Elijah, yet He chooses to involve him as a partner in fulfilling His purpose (1 Kings 18:41-45). God invites us to be prayerful not because of our inherent power, but as a privileged opportunity to partner with Him.

PRAISE

Persistent prayer says “I will continue to pray until God answers my prayer or tells me to stop praying. Whatever His answer, I will praise and thank Him.” 

There are instances where God communicates when to stop our prayers. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8, received such guidance. Despite repeatedly asking God to alleviate a physical ailment, described as a "thorn in the flesh," God instructed Paul to cease his petitions. Paul learned a profound lesson – God values character development over momentary physical relief. God's concern lies more with our eternal well-being than our immediate comfort. God permit us to undergo challenges to develop humility, a blessing far greater than mere physical comfort in God's eyes.  

Life is too short to miss out on God’s best. Seek God and prioritize Him; God will bless us. Paul was given something better (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In exchange for physical pain, God gave him grace and power. What God has for us in light of eternity is much better than what we have in this world!