Keep On Praying
Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. James 5:13
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This verse shares a key principle for effective intercession: “keep on praying” until the breakthrough comes.
The actual building of the dam usually takes many months, and then the water begins accumulating behind the dam. Drop by drop and day by day the water level rises, yet on the other side of the dam it’s not apparent that anything is happening. Then when the water level finally reaches the right height, the sluice gates are opened wide. Water begins to turn the generators, and incredible power is released.
Whether we are suffering from physical illness, financial problems, or broken relationships, sometimes it looks as if things will never change. This verse encourages us to press on. Keep praying until you have accumulated a great mass of prayer. Gather others to intercede for you. The breakthrough may be just around the corner.
Prayers:
LORD, I want to be a faithful follower who doesn’t stop praying because of delay, discouragement, or weariness. You won’t delay one day or one moment longer than is needed for you to accomplish your purposes. Empower me to “keep on praying” until the answers come and to continually be thankful and bless your name.
Quotes:
Prayer must often be ‘heaped up’ until God sees that its measure is full. Then the answer comes. Just as each of ten thousand seeds is a part of the final harvest, frequently repeated, persevering prayer is necessary to acquire a desired blessing. . . . Real faith can never be disappointed. It knows that to exercise its power, it must be gathered up, just like water, until the stream can come down in full force.
Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 42:1–43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16 and Proverbs 28:6-7.
