How endurance is the most amazing secret to getting prayer answered

Some of us measure answered prayer with our watch.  If it hasn’t happened in a few minutes, we give up.

You may need to switch to a calendar! 

Endurance (patience) is a critical component of all answered prayer.

Why does answered prayer often take time?  Why doesn’t God just give us an immediate answer?

“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11, ESV)

Here are the reasons why endurance is critical when you need an answer to prayer:

1. Satan doesn’t give up easily.

In Job’s life, we see “behind the scenes” in his huge trial.  No one has ever been in a deeper trial.  He lost his business, his children, and his health….in a matter of days.

The real culprit was Satan.  

This trial went on for quite a long time.  Satan was persistent.  So must we be persistent in resisting his attack!

This trial may go on for weeks, months, or even a year.  EVERY DAY, tell Satan he must “Go!”  Speak to the mountain and command it to leave your business, family, and body.

2. Integrity is the secret to endurance.

Job “held fast to his integrity” (Job 5: 9).

Integrity means to be “complete, whole.”  A bridge that does not fall under pressure has “integrity.”

You cannot collapse in a trial.  God, by His Holy Spirit, lives inside of you.  He never leaves you in a trial.  He is always there, encouraging and empowering you to go forward.

Integrity is the ability to remain steadfast in a deep trial.  It is continuing to obey God and His will for your life even when you can’t understand the “why.”

3. The testing of your faith produces endurance.

James said, “The trying of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its full effect.” (James 1: 3).

I played athletics in high school and sometimes we would run “stadiums.”  We had to run up the entire bleachers and back, repeating that 25-50 times.

I thought I would die.  I hated athletics at that point.  I wanted to collapse in the late spring heat.

It produced something in me:  endurance.

God may let you walk through this extended trial to build your life, home, or ministry.  He WILL deliver you, and the result will be “endurance.”

4. God’s Word produces endurance.

When I face a trial, I dive into the Word.  I find Scripture that fits my case.

Then, I begin to speak and pray those verses back to God.  I worship Him with those verses.  I remind Him of those verses.  I praise Him for His promises, even when I cannot see anything.

Faith is clinging to a promise, speaking a promise, for as long as it takes to win the victory.  

In a trial?  Take off your watch and get out your Bible….and your calendar.