In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus is in the midst of delivering his famous Sermon on the Mount. He has been teaching the crowds about the characteristics of citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven, and how their righteousness should exceed that of the Pharisees. Now, Jesus shifts to the topic of prayer and how God responds when His children come to Him in persistent faith.
The Power of Persistence Contents
The Power of Persistence – Matthew 7:7
Ask, Seek, Knock
In Matthew 7:7, Jesus makes a profound statement: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This single verse packs a powerful punch of encouragement and motivation for believers.
First, Jesus tells us to “ask.” He wants us to bring our needs and desires to God in prayer. There is no request too small or too large for our Heavenly Father. But simply asking once may not be enough.
Seek Continually
That’s why Jesus goes on to say “seek.” This implies an active, ongoing search for solutions from God. We must persevere in prayer and not give up when the answers don’t come as quickly as we hoped.
Finally, Jesus says “knock.” This evokes the picture of standing at a door, continually knocking until someone opens it.
Knock Persistently
Jesus is explaining that we must be zealously persistent in our prayers. God does not always open doors immediately. Sometimes we must knock day after day, week after week. But He honors persistence.
In essence, Jesus is urging us to prayerfully pursue God with tenacity. Bring your requests persistently. Don’t quit when the answers don’t come quickly. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. This requires patience and faith. But those who rely on God with perseverance will find that He ultimately provides, guides, and opens doors according to His perfect will and timing.
Biblical The Power of Persistence Examples
The Bible gives us inspiring examples of men and women of faith who persisted in prayer until they received an answer from God.
The Persistent Widow
One is the persistent widow in Luke 18 whom Jesus used as an illustration for always praying and not giving up. Though the unjust judge did not care about her needs initially, her unrelenting requests eventually caused him to respond just to get her to stop pestering him.
Abraham’s Intercession
Another example is Abraham, who persistently interceded for the righteous of Sodom and Gomorrah. He continued appealing to God’s merciful nature by asking if He would spare the cities even if only 10 righteous people were found.
Jesus in Gethsemane
The final and greatest example is Jesus Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus agonized in prayer asking God if there was any way the impending crucifixion could pass from Him. He persisted for over an hour, returning to His disciples multiple times to find them sleeping instead of praying. Although the Father did not take away the cross, He did send an angel to strengthen Jesus for the trials ahead.
Developing Persistence and Achieving Success
How Can Persistence Be Developed As A Trait?
Persistence is the trait of continuing to try and refusing to give up in the face of challenges. Some people are naturally more persistent, but it is a skill that anyone can develop over time.
To develop greater persistence, it is important to shift your mindset. View setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Stay focused on your larger vision and purpose to motivate you through obstacles. Celebrate small wins along the way to give you a sense of progress.
Practicing persistence starts small. Stick to daily routines and avoid procrastination. Complete tasks even when you don’t feel like it. With time, you can take on bigger challenges while maintaining your determination.
What Sets Persistent People Apart As Entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs need high levels of persistence to turn their visions into reality. Bringing a new product or company to life requires working through numerous setbacks and roadblocks.
Persistent entrepreneurs share common traits that help them persevere:
- They are purpose-driven, with a strong sense of mission behind their work. This gives them motivation to push forward.
- They have courage to take calculated risks and the resilience to bounce back from failure.
- They have high self-efficacy and believe in their ability to eventually succeed.
- They surround themselves with a strong support team to encourage them in difficult times.
Quotes from persistent entrepreneurs like Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates remind us that success comes from never giving up. Their stamina provides inspiration.
How Can Persistence Lead To Greater Productivity?
Persistence is a key driver of productivity because it means consistently putting in focused effort. While talent can make some things easier, persistence is what allows people to power through tasks when the motivation is lacking.
To leverage persistence for productivity:
- Break big goals down into smaller milestones that can be tackled one step at a time.
- Eliminate distractions and create a positive environment to get into a state of flow.
- Measure your progress frequently to maintain a sense of momentum.
- Reward yourself after completing challenging tasks.
- Remind yourself of the purpose and end goal.
Persisting through the grind of hard work compounds over time to build expertise, success, and meaningful contributions.
How Does Developing Persistence Change Your Life?
Cultivating a persistent mindset can profoundly empower your life. Instead of giving up when facing obstacles, you push forward with courage and resilience.
As you achieve goals once thought impossible, your self-confidence grows. You gain a reputation for someone who gets things done. Persistence leads to promotions, exciting opportunities, and financial gains.
Most importantly, developing persistence unlocks your full potential. You become capable of accomplishing your life’s purpose and leaving a meaningful legacy. Instead of living with regrets over quitting too soon, you experience the thrill of breakthrough after persevering.
Key Takeaways
- Shift your mindset to view challenges as learning opportunities.
- Celebrate small wins and stay focused on your larger vision.
- Surround yourself with a supportive community.
- Break big goals down into smaller action steps.
- Leverage systems and routines to persist through motivation lulls.
- Keep pushing forward – breakthrough happens on the other side!
Persisting Through Failure
One of the hardest times to persist in prayer and faith is after experiencing major failure or setbacks. When our plans unravel or we do not get to achieve our expected outcome, it can be tempting to give up entirely. But God encourages us to bring even our failures and overcome disappointments to Him in prayer.
When we persist in seeking God after failure, He can redeem the situation in amazing ways. Failures often provide lessons and opportunities for growth that would not happen otherwise. Bringing your failures, doubts, and desire for wisdom to God repeatedly can result in fresh revelation and new perspective.
Persisting through failure demonstrates resilience and reliance on God rather than self. He can bring encouragement, open up alternative paths forward, and strengthen your faith and character in the process.
Ultimately, persisting in prayer helps unlock the door of future success. On the other side of failure and disappointment is often greater opportunity. When you do experience success again, remembering to thank God for sustaining you through the valley will make your joy that much greater.
So just as Christ encouraged His followers to keep asking, seeking and knocking in Matthew 7, continue to pursue God in prayer when you walk through seasons of failure. He can redeem your setbacks for good and lead you to future breakthroughs.
Applying The Power of Persistence Today
The principles Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:7 are just as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago. When we face challenges, difficulties, or closed doors in our modern lives, how can we apply this lesson on persistence?
At Work
Persisting in prayer can guide us in our work and careers. When seeking a new job, ask God to open the right doors and guide you to opportunities where you can use your gifts. If you face a difficult co-worker or are passed over for a promotion, keep bringing your frustrations to God in prayer rather than giving in to anger. Ask Him for wisdom in navigating workplace relationships.
In Dreams and Goals
When we seek to accomplish significant dreams and goals, we will inevitably face obstacles. But bringing those desires repeatedly to God in prayer demonstrates reliance on Him rather than our own strength. Be persistent in asking God to help you develop the right plan, make the right connections, and walk through the right open doors to accomplish your dreams.
In Hardship
Perhaps one of the greatest modern applications is persevering in prayer through seasons of hardship, grief, or uncertainty. Keep bringing your pain to Jesus over and over. Ask Him for healing, comfort, and clarity. Seek God’s peace and perspective when nothing makes sense. Knock persistently for breakthrough, even when discouraged. God may not remove the hardship, but He promises to sustain us in it.
Conclusion The Power of Persistence
As children of God today, we can have confidence that persistent prayers are heard in heaven. When we bring our cares, needs and desires to our Heavenly Father over and over in faith-filled prayer, He promises to respond according to His perfect will and timing. May Christ’s words in Matthew 7:7 inspire us to never lose heart, but to keep asking, seeking and knocking!
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FAQ The Power of Persistence
Q: What is the power of persistence?
A: The power of persistence refers to the ability to keep going and not give up despite facing challenges or obstacles. It is the willingness to continue working towards a goal or desired outcome, even when faced with difficulties or setbacks.
Q: How can persistence lead to success?
A: Persistence is often a key factor in achieving success. By consistently working towards a goal and refusing to give up, individuals can overcome obstacles, learn from failures, and ultimately achieve their desired outcome.
Q: Can you provide a motivational quote about persistence?
A: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison
Q: Are there any famous examples of people who achieved success through persistence?
A: Yes, there are many. One notable example is Calvin Coolidge, who became the 30th President of the United States. He once said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Q: What does it mean to believe in oneself?
A: Believing in oneself means having confidence in one’s abilities and believing that you have the power to achieve your goals. It is about having a positive mindset and trusting in your own capabilities.
Q: Does persistence mean never giving up?
A: Persistence does not necessarily mean never giving up. It means continuing to work towards a goal, even if it requires adjusting your approach or trying new strategies. It is about finding alternative ways to reach the end result.
Q: Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to be more persistent?
A: While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to being more persistent, here are some strategies that can help: 1. Set clear goals and define what success means to you. 2. Break your goals down into smaller, achievable tasks. 3. Create a plan and set a timeline for completing each task. 4. Stay focused and avoid distractions. 5. Find motivation by reminding yourself of the reasons why your goal is important to you. 6. Develop a positive mindset and cultivate self-belief. 7. Seek support from mentors or a support network. 8. Learn from failures and setbacks, and use them as opportunities for growth. 9. Stay adaptable and be willing to adjust your approach if needed. 10. Celebrate small victories along the way to stay motivated.
Q: “If you don’t want to quit, you won’t fail.” Who said this?
A: This quote is often attributed to singer and songwriter Mark Victor Hansen.
Q: How can persistence help in being more productive?
A: Persistence can help in being more productive by ensuring that you remain committed to your tasks and goals. It can help you stay focused and motivated, even when faced with challenging or mundane tasks. By persistently working towards your objectives, you are more likely to achieve them in a timely manner.
Q: Can persistence and determination alone lead to success?
A: While persistence and determination are crucial elements for success, they are not the only factors. Other aspects such as skills, knowledge, and opportunities also play a role. However, persistence and determination can greatly increase the likelihood of success and are often cited as key traits of successful individuals.
