Commentary: Persistence in prayer demonstrates faith

By RALPH FUDGE

Sunday, August 10, 2025

There was a prophet named Elijah who lived a long time ago in the land of Israel. He was great and did many marvelous things because he listened to the Lord and was obedient. He lived during the reign of King Ahab, who was more evil than all the kings who were before him.

One day, Elijah told Ahab that there would be no dew or rain for three and a half years except by his word. And the Bible tells us that it did not rain during all that time. Finally, Elijah told the king to eat and drink because there was the sound of much rain. Then Elijah went to the top of Mt. Carmel and bowed to the ground to pray. He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” He returned to report, “There is nothing” (1 Kings 18:43).

But Elijah persisted and told his servant again and again to go look. Scripture tells us, “Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea’” (1 Kings 18:44). We are told in Scripture that the sky became black with clouds, wind, and heavy rain.

I think the point of this event is that God appreciates persistence, because it demonstrates faith. Jesus said that faith as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Too often, Christians petition God for something one time, and not getting it, give up. But, again, persistence proves faith in God. I heard once of a mother who prayed for thirty years that her son might be saved. That was a lot of persistence, but God finally answered her prayer, and the boy was saved.

The lesson for us from all this is to persist in prayer. Jesus told us of a woman who persisted with a king for justice. The king finally tired of her persistence and granted her request. (Luke 18:3-5). God is like that. Persistence pays, in other words. It pays not only in the affairs of men and our dealings with other people, it also in our prayers to God.

The one caveat, however, is that disobedience can hinder prayers. Peter tells us, “Husbands, likewise dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). We are also reminded, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2).

Along with persistence, we of course must have faith. James warns us that in asking for wisdom, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-7).

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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Quote: God appreciates persistence, because it demonstrates faith.