Day 6 January 14, 2022
Prayer Focus: Faith That Is Tenacious
If you are discouraged or have given up on praying for something. You’ve settled. You have said “it is what it is.” Let’s fight against this in Jesus’ name and believe again in Jesus’ name.
No matter how bad something might be, let’s persist and fight in prayer for God’s blessing and healing and favor.
One of two places where Jesus credits a person with great faith. Jesus was interacting with the woman but was also teaching his disciples.
Matthew 15:21-28 (NIV)
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Jesus leaves a Jewish area (Galilee) to go to a Gentile area (Tyre/Sidon).
As she prays, Jesus doesn’t answer. This is her first “no”. (At this point, many of us would just go away and accept this). The woman doesn’t stop here at this first “no.”
HIs disciples want to have her sent away. As she persists, outside voices try to discourage her. We often receive outside voices that tell us “no, don’t go there, don’t bother Jesus). That’s a second “no” she receives from the outside voices.
Jesus lets her know He was sent to the lost house of Israel. This is a third “no” she gets. (Remember He’s teaching His disciples). We know He is for her, loves her and is for the Gentiles but He says He’s for the house of Israel. She refuses to give up after 3 nos.
She persisted, kneeling and said “Lord, Help me.” Jesus lets her know that He its not right to give the children’s food to the dogs. Jesus gives her a 4th no right from Jesus. This is a point in which others might give up.
But she persists with her reply to Jesus and Jesus says “You Have Great Faith.” She received her miracle. She got her miracle because she would not let up or give up.
1. Tenacious Faith Doesn’t Give up
In Luke’s gospel there is a woman that comes before a judge and literally wears him out. He then gave her what she asked for.
2. Tenacious Faith Opens the door for miracles.
Luke 15. Friends carry a man on a mat through a roof. Their collective faith made a difference. That’s why it’s so important to pray for people.
3. Tenacious Faith Makes a Difference for others.
Mark 5. A woman with a flow of blood, would not give up and wanted just to touch Jesus.
4. Tenacious Faith Draws Us Closer to Jesus.
So let’s not take “no” for an answer. Let’s keep praying in Jesus name, persisting, fighting and asking for that miracle you are believing God for.
