Praying is not enough

I believe that as God’s people we need to learn much more about prayer. The New Testament places great emphasis on prayer because it is essential for the spiritual health of the church and for the endurance of every believer. A Christian who prays is a Christian who stays on the right path, who keeps his heart aligned with God, and who remains sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. But is praying once in a while enough? The truth is that prayer alone is not enough—what truly demonstrates our faith is persistence in prayer.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7–8

In this passage, Jesus presents a powerful teaching to which all believers must pay close attention. The first lesson is simple: when we ask the Father according to His will, He gives us what we request. But Scripture also warns us that not all requests are granted. Why? Because some people ask with wrong motives. This is why James wrote:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:3

God is not a genie who grants wishes. He is a holy Father whose answers always align with His perfect plans. The important thing is to understand that when we ask according to His will, He hears us and responds at the right time. We must not be shy before God; we must bring before Him every desire, every need, every burden. God never grows tired of our prayers. He is always ready to listen, always attentive to the cries of His children.

In the verse quoted above, Jesus uses three present imperatives: ask, seek, knock. These are not one-time actions—each verb implies continuous, ongoing activity. Jesus is teaching us that prayer is not a moment but a lifestyle. Asking refers to presenting our desires to God. Seeking refers to pursuing Him with our whole heart. Knocking refers to persevering until the door opens.

Persistence in prayer is of utmost importance. Jesus assures us that those who ask receive, those who seek find, and those who knock will have doors opened. But prayer must not become a mechanical routine, something we do quickly before bed or in a moment of habit. True prayer is communion with God, a spiritual connection where our soul reaches after Him. We must pray until our heart is moved, until God’s presence fills the room, until heaven touches earth. This is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples—a prayer of intensity, persistence, and expectation.

One of the most powerful examples of persistence can be seen in the life of Jacob when he wrestled with the angel:

Then he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Genesis 32:26

Jacob refused to release the angel until he received a blessing. He was willing to struggle as long as it took, even though he was exhausted and wounded. This determination, this refusal to give up, reflects what our attitude should be in prayer. We must cling to God and remain before Him until His blessing flows into our lives. Persistence moves the hand of God—not because God is unwilling, but because perseverance shapes our character, strengthens our faith, and aligns us with His will.

When we enter into prayer, we ought to be like Jacob—intent, determined, humble, and hungry for God. We must pray until our fears are replaced with faith, until our doubts are replaced with peace, until our weakness is replaced with strength. Prayer is not simply talking to God; it is wrestling with our own limitations, surrendering our hearts, and holding on to God until His grace transforms us.

Dear brother and dear sister, I urge you to keep persistence in your prayers. Do not grow weary in seeking God. Trust Him with all your heart, for He is faithful to His promises. Your prayers are not in vain. Heaven hears every cry, every whisper, every tear. The God who answered Abraham, Moses, Hannah, Daniel, and Paul is the same God who listens to you today.

Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. For in due time, God will open the door, pour out His blessing, and strengthen your life according to His perfect will.