Determination, Perseverance, Persistence in Prayer is the necessary link to receiving God's blessings and power, and the fulfillment of His promises. Numerous Bible passages illustrate this principle. Jesus, for example, promised His followers would receive the Holy Spirit if they persisted in asking, seeking, and knocking at the door of their heavenly Father (Luke 11:5—13).
Thus, after Jesus' ascension, His followers continually devoted themselves to prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:14) until with power (cf. Acts 1:8) the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1—4).
When the apostles gathered together after their arrest and release by the Jewish authorities, they prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit to give them boldness and influence when speaking His Word. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
For prayer to be effective we must be determined, perserve, and be persistent. "Ask ... seek ... knock" (Mat. 7:7-8) teaches perseverance in prayer. Come believing, leave receiving if it is in the Will of God. Your heavenly Father know what you need before you ask Him.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara Hayes
FL
