Don't Stop Praying

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

“Don’t stop praying, Rick!” That was the advice one of my seminary professors offered when I was making a major life decision. He then said something that has stuck with me these many years; “Your faithfulness allows God to reveal greater insight to you than to the less faithful.” Now looking back about 40 years, I believe it to be true. God takes pleasure in answering prayers that come from a faithful heart. 

One of the many New Testament characters who experienced this was Anna, a widow of many years. A widow in her day was not in an enviable position—very little status in society and nearly helpless on her own. So she began to pray and spent night and day in prayer and fasting in the Temple.

She continued faithfully in prayer until it was answered, but that answer did not come at once. As a matter of fact, it didn’t happen until nearly the end of her life. Although it was a long time, God honored her faithfulness.

While it may be difficult to do, faithful praying may take a lifetime of waiting to receive an answer. Isn’t that an integral part of intercession? God is looking for intercessors—Christ followers that will continue to pray and to believe until they hear from God.

“There was also a prophetess, Anna… a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:36-37).