Observing a young toddler attempting her first steps, it was striking how persistent she was in pursuing her goal of walking. She would struggle to her feet, glance quickly ahead, and then hurriedly step forward with a rush….and abruptly fall. But discouraged she was not….because she was determined to walk. Nothing would stop her and nothing did. After numerous falls and an equal number of numerous risings to start her quest again, she finally succeeded in her quest to walk. Oh what persistence and determination!  And what a lesson for all of us! Persist and persist again and again in seeking one’s goals.

We have all known aspiring athletes who persisted in their training in order to achieve some great athletic achievements. Most of whom would never have succeeded in reaching their quest, if they had not risen and charged forward after each and every failure, numerous as they may be. They learned that each failure is the next step towards success.

There is an American baseball player who has recently reach the pinnacle of success in his position….only after failing on several occasions. His failures even led him to consider leaving the game. Yet he stubbornly persisted and toiled diligently to improve his skills. After many setbacks he has reached the top of his profession and is admired by all of his colleagues. He persisted, learned from failure, made adjustments, and proceeded towards his goal.

But what if he did not eventually succeed as a baseball player? What would all of that persistence and toil get him? Would he have been nothing more than another frustrated athlete whose dreams of greatness were dashed on the fields of endeavor?  Or would he have learned that persistence itself is a great teacher and enabler? Would he been able to say to himself, “I did not fail; I learned that I was not destined to be a successful professional ball player, but I also learned that persistence has its own rewards. I know more about myself.”

In every field of endeavor, sports, business, teaching, individuals must persevere to achieve their goals. The same perseverance is especially needed in our relations with God; we are encouraged to persist. Jesus advises us to persist always in prayer so the Father will hear and answer our requests. Luke in his gospel relates two instances in which Jesus provides clear examples and encouragement to persist in prayer. In one instance, Jesus tells the story about the widow who is very persistent in pleading her case before a judge; Jesus pointedly notes that the widow eventually won her case precisely because she was so persistent. Similarly, in the story of the person who requests some food from his neighbor at a very late hour so he can serve some late arriving visitors, Jesus again pointedly comments on the neighbor’s persistence and the success he achieves as a result of his persistence. The lesson Jesus is emphasizing in both stories is the need for us to be very persistent in our prayers….pray and pray some more. One might go so far as to say that we need to continually pester God with our prayers and requests. 

Without persistence no toddler would walk and without persistence human accomplishment would not be achievable. Without persistent prayer, knowing and loving God would be very difficult, if not impossible.  We should not let ordinary human activities and interests crowd out our prayerful activities.  Our prayers will be heard and answered, though we may not like the answer. Persevere in prayer to the end… and then persevere some more…. and then some more. Never quit praying!  God does hear us and loves us!