“Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly].” 1Thess.5:17 (Amplified)
Whenever the bible enjoins us to pray steadfastly or earnestly, it simply means that our prayer should be primarily characterised by staying power, by which it means that we should continue in prayer for as long as it takes to get the job done. We usually do not need encouragement to persevere when an easy or enjoyable task is at hand. If that were the case, the problem would be in stopping us overdoing it. This implies that prayer is hard work and as a result requires perseverance to get result. Just like any kind of prayer, more so when it concerns praying to see God move in our generation, perseverance is the key to achieving spiritual breakthroughs. However, more often than not, this is where the Church has been found wanting. We love to pontificate about prayer rather than do praying and when we do get to praying, we tire so easily. The carcasses of many loftily conceived prayer programme represent proofs that the Church has not only become prayer-weary, but prayer-averse.
So, why do people give up on prayer, especially the prayer of intercession? It is because we tend to lose sight of the bigger purpose and focus on ourselves. A cleaner in a Toyota factory in Japan was once asked, “What do you do?” His simple answer is seminal. He said “I build cars.” When asked again, he repeated the same answer. This was because he understood his part in achieving the overall goal of the company he was working for. He saw himself as part of something worthwhile and bigger than himself and realised that he had a very significant part to play in order for the whole enterprise to succeed, irrespective of the status of his job. Unlike other more visible jobs, this cleaner’s job is more backroom than front room and may not rate highly with some people. Prayer is the unattractive backroom job that few people want to do, yet without its essential input in our spiritual walk and work, we are destined for failure. So, whenever you feel like giving up in prayer as you desire God’s move in your life, understand that you are doing something of infinite spiritual and physical significance and are involved in something that is far greater than yourself and is also pleasing to God. So, when you are challenged, “What is your ministry?” You don’t answer, Oh, I am a prayer warrior. Your answer will be “I am a kingdom builder”, because you know that you are building the kingdom of God through your prayers. With this in mind, you can then determine to pray until you achieve breakthrough.
So, what does P.U.S.H. means? It is the acronym for Pray Until Something Happens. In order words, pray and continue praying until you either physically receive answers to your prayers or until you receive assurance from God that your prayers have been answered. Until you achieve this end, you simply refuse to give up or stop praying, because you know that you are giving birth to a spiritual reality that will in time also become a physical reality. So, push and push some more and change your world.
Prayer:
Father, I need to see beyond my strengths and weaknesses. Help me to view things from heaven’s perspective as I pray Thy kingdom come, Thine will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help me to take up your strength so that I can persevere in prayer and achieve spiritual and physical breakthrough for the glory of your name. Input within me enthusiasm to continue to seek your face so that you can move again in my world. Amen.