The Bulletin

Spiritual Nourishment, Sermons & Faith Teachings.

Back to Home

The Power of Persistent Prayer

In Luke 18, Jesus tells us the parable of the persistent widow to show us that we should always pray and not give up. The widow kept going to the unjust judge, pleading her case, until he finally granted her justice just to get her to stop bothering him.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

- Luke 18:7-8

How much more will our loving Father, who is just and righteous, answer the cries of His children? Persistent prayer is not about begging God for something He doesn't want to give you. It is about aligning your heart with His will and refusing to let go until the breakthrough manifests in the natural realm. When you pray with persistence, you are demonstrating your absolute reliance on God and your immovable faith in His promises. Keep pushing, keep knocking, and keep asking!

Strength in the Valley

The mountaintop experiences are glorious. They are the times of evident victory, clear vision, and abundant joy. However, it is in the valleys that our faith is genuinely tested and our dependence on God is forged. Psalm 23 reminds us, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

Notice the psalmist says "through" the valley. The valley is not your final destination; it is merely a passage. While you are in it, you are never alone. His rod and His staff—His protection and His guidance—are actively at work on your behalf. If you find yourself in a valley season today, do not lose heart. Draw near to the Shepherd. Let His presence be your comfort and His word be your strength. You will emerge on the other side stronger and more radiant than before.

Walking on Water

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, his immediate reaction was a desire to join Him. "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." (Matthew 14:28). Jesus simply said, "Come." For a brief, miraculous moment, Peter experienced the impossible: he walked on the water toward his Savior.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'

- Matthew 14:30

Peter's miracle was sustained solely by his focus on Jesus. The moment he shifted his gaze away from the Master and onto the terrifying reality of the storm, he began to sink. We are often exactly like Peter. God calls us out of our comfort zones into miraculous territories, but the winds of doubt, fear, and practical impossibility start to howl. To continue walking in the miraculous, you must aggressively guard your focus. Lock your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and ignore the surrounding storms.