Persistence

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Persistence
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.
Calvin Coolidge

Jesus taught His followers that their life was one of persistence.  He gave them what is called the model prayer.

Luke 11
1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our daily bread.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
He told the story of a friend who would not get out of bed to help because of friendship, but would get out of bed to help because of persistence.

He  said,
Luke 11.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

Ask. Seek. Knock.  These words in the greek are present imperatives.  “Orders or commands that are expected to have continuous or repeated application are given the present tense.  Therefore, the present imperative essentially mean, “Follow this command as often as the situation or need arises.”   …each bring out the call to a long term commitment conveyed by this tense.” ( The Discovery Bible, New American Standard New Testament, Reference Edition,  Gary Hill, p. xvi)

If you want to pray in the Jesus way, it is to be persistent.

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.
Calvin Coolidge

Larry Wishard

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