When Tempted to Give Up - P.U.S.H Through

“One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”

Luke 18:1 (NLT)

Have you ever felt like just giving up? You’re in good company. Jesus’ own disciples must have felt that way at times because Luke records this in Luke 18:1 (NLT), “One day Jesus told His disciples as story that they should always pray and never give up.” Why is it that some answers don’t come right away? Spiritual delays are confusing. Sometimes they can leave you feeling disillusioned with God and wondering even if prayer works. But these are times where God is often at work in the greatest way in our lives. Spiritual delays teach us persistence in prayer. In fact, Luke tells two stories about shameless persistence in prayer in Luke 11 and 18. In both cases we get a better understanding of why God permits spiritual delays in answer to prayer. The problem is not that God is insensitive to our needs. It’s often His way of helping us overcome our own insensitivity. Shameless persistence in prayer does more to change our heart and mind than it does His. Spiritual delays cause us to lean into God with greater intensity and recognize God’s work when He responds. That’s why Jesus says in Luke 11:9 (NLT), “And so I tell you, 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.”

When Jesus told His followers that they should always pray and never give up, He didn’t mean to pray with endless repetition or some painfully long prayer session. Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God with an attitude of confidence and gratitude that He hears our prayer and will answer them. Sometimes God may be testing how badly we really want what we are requesting. Are we genuinely burdened and broken or is it just a passing desire? How quickly will we give up praying when there is a spiritual delay? God has good reasons when He delays in answering our prayers. Persistence in prayer helps us to grow in character, faith and hope. It helps us clearly examine our motives and needs. 

Another reason for spiritual delays is found in Daniel 10. Daniel had been praying and fasting for 21 days with no response. Rather than giving up, he persisted in prayer trusting that God was listening even though he didn’t understand the reason for the delay. From Daniel’s experience we learn that answers to prayer may be hindered by unseen spiritual forces. Job also reveals the challenge of evil forces at work that we may know nothing about. The bible describes this as a heavenly warfare. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) puts it like this: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

If you’re experiencing a spiritual delay in your life, take heart. God is at work. Practice a simple prayer method I call P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) and never give up!

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To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit kerryshook.org/blog.

As you continue your quiet time, prayer is a powerful way to stay connected to God and the family of Christ. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board offers a simple space to lift others in prayer and let them know you are standing with them. You can also share your own request and receive prayer support whenever you need it.

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