Persistent Prayer

The Priority of Prayer

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 642 Five Minute Prayer Interval

When I was a child we had a “five minute rule” in our house. What it meant was that we were all to be ready for school five minutes before we actually had to leave.

We were a large family and that extra five minutes was prayer time for Mother and us children. The place was wherever Mother happened to be when we were all ready to leave. Sometimes it was the kitchen, other times the living room or bedroom, or even out on the porch. But we all kneeled while Mother asked a blessing on each of us individually and thanked the Lord for His provision for us. Often all of our names were spoken and some special blessing asked for each.

If a neighborhood child dropped in to walk to school with us (and neighbors often did), they were included in our prayer circle, too.

When the prayer was finished. there came a kiss for each, and we were off.

Those were Five Important Minutes to each of us.

—Adelaida Blanton

Be Persistent

Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Prayer should be something that we never stop doing. We should never be so distracted with the things of life that we don’t flow in and out of communication with God.

This is not something that you are outwardly doing all the time.

Does your life flow in such a way that you are not constantly having to ask God for forgiveness because you messed up again.

How often are you giving praise to God when you talk to Him?

Prayers in the Bible

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

pray without ceasing,

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Prayer of repentance for deliverance and healing

Matthew 5:44 ESV

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

prayer for your enemies

Matthew 6:6 ESV

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

pray for intimacy with the Lord

Matthew 9:38 ESV

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

prayer for laborers to gather the harvest

People that will go out and disciple others in following Christ

Matthew 26:42 ESV

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

pray that you don’t enter into temptation

Mark 11:25 ESV

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

pray so you can forgive

Luke 6:28 ESV

bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

prayer for those that have abused us

Acts 1:24 ESV

And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

prayer for direction in appointing leaders

Acts 8:15 ESV

who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

prayer to receive the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

pray at all times

Hebrews 13:18 ESV

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

pray for a clear conscience and would desire to do honorable things

James 5:13 ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

prayer for those that are suffering

James 5:14 ESV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

pray for those that are sick, have the elders anoint him with il in the name of the lord

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed