Keep Praying!
Why Jesus—and the Heroes of Scripture—Didn’t Pray Just Once
Jesus taught me something profound yesterday, and I wanted to take a break today from our journey in Psalms to share it with you.
Have you ever prayed for peace, but the chaos stayed?
Asked for joy, but the depression lingered?
Cried out for a breakthrough—but the chains still clung to your shoulders?
We’ve all been there.
Looking back, if God had answered me right away, maybe I would’ve leaned on them for my faith instead of Him.
But here’s a question worth asking:
What if the reason you didn’t get what you asked for… is because you only asked once?
🙏 Jesus Asked Three Times
When the weight of the world pressed down on Jesus, He didn’t pray once and move on.
He prayed.
Then came back.
And prayed again.
Then again.
In Gethsemane, with the shadow of the cross looming, Jesus fell to the ground and cried out with such intensity that blood seeped from His pores:
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
— Mark 14:34
He didn’t say a quick prayer while riding a camel on the way to work. The Gospels tell us He prayed three separate times, returning each time to find His disciples asleep.
Even the King of Kings didn’t overcome fear in five minutes.
Breakthrough came through persistence. Strength came through returning.
“An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.”
— Luke 22:43
So if clarity doesn’t come after one prayer, keep praying.
If fear doesn’t lift after one cry, go again.
If peace delays, press in.
And He’s not the only one.
📖 When the Saints Prayed Again and Again
This pattern runs all through Scripture. Here’s a look at those who didn’t stop knocking until God moved:
🧔🏻♂️ Moses – 40 Days of Intercession
When Israel built the golden calf, God prepared to judge them justly. But Moses’ heart broke for his people. He fasted and interceded for 40 days, pleading for mercy:
“Then I lay prostrate before the Lord forty days and forty nights… because the Lord had said he would destroy you.”
— Deut. 9:25
God relented. A new covenant was written. Moses saw God's glory.
🌧 Elijah – Seven Times for One Cloud
After a long drought, Elijah didn’t just pray once for rain. He climbed Mount Carmel, bowed low, and prayed seven times—sending his servant each time to look for a sign.
“Go again seven times.”
— 1 Kings 18:43
On the seventh? A cloud appeared. And then, rain.
Breakthrough sometimes shows up on round seven.
👑 David – Morning, Noon, and Night
David didn’t wait for ideal conditions. He prayed morning, noon, and night—even when overwhelmed:
“Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice.”
— Psalm 55:17
Prayer wasn’t a backup plan for David. It was his rhythm. His lifeline.
🧎♂️ Daniel – Three Times a Day
Even under threat of death, Daniel didn’t stop. He prayed three times daily, facing Jerusalem, as he had always done:
“He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed… as he had done previously.”
— Daniel 6:10
God honored Daniel’s consistency by sending an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel became an influence across empires for 80 years.
👩⚖️ The Persistent Widow – A Parable from Jesus
Jesus told a story about a widow who kept coming to an unjust judge until he gave her justice. Why? To teach us “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1–8).
“Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”
— Luke 18:7
God isn’t annoyed by your persistence. He invites it.
🙋 Paul – Three Times for the Thorn
Paul begged God three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God didn’t take it away. Instead, He gave Paul something greater:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Cor. 12:9
Sometimes the answer isn’t removal—it’s revelation.
And when you receive understanding in the struggle, your story can set others free.
🏃♂️ The Early Church – Praying Until Chains Fell
When Peter was in prison, the church didn’t panic—they prayed:
“Earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
— Acts 12:5
While they were praying, an angel appeared. Chains fell. Doors opened.
Even though they weren’t sure their prayer would work, God still moved.
Persistence and prayer led to divine intervention.
Keep Going Until Peace Comes
Prayer isn’t about repeating empty words.
It’s about returning to the Source until strength arrives… or angels… or understanding.
Like Jesus in the garden.
Like Elijah on the mountain.
Like Daniel in exile.
Like you, right now.
If you’ve been praying and nothing seems to change, don’t stop.
If you're tired, go again.
If the burden feels heavier, press in.
Your breakthrough may be one return away.
Never Finished Challenge: Go Back to The Throne Room
Try this:
Set three times to pray today—morning, noon, and night.
Pick one burden. Bring it before God every time.
Journal what changes—strength, clarity, peace, or even just presence.
Prayer isn’t a box to check.
It’s a lifeline. And persistence proves the relationship.
Relationship deepens trust.
Trust grows with understanding.
And understanding grows with time.
Why Doesn’t God Always Answer the First Time?
If God answered the first time, every time, would you value the relationship?
When I asked my wife that question, we landed on this:
His timing is different from ours.
His answers may not align with our desires.
We ask for happiness. He gives eternal joy.
We want relief. He offers resurrection.
Here’s one of many of my stories...
There was a season where I prayed for two straight years for community.
I didn’t have brothers to link arms with, pray with, or run the race of faith alongside.
I felt the lack every day—many of you are there now.
And then—out of nowhere—two guys showed up.
We started meeting weekly, then biweekly. We texted daily. Not only that, but we also shared life—growing in faith, getting married, and receiving miracles—for the next ten years.
If God had answered me right away, maybe I would’ve leaned on them more than Him for my faith.
But in those two years of waiting, He became my closest friend first.
He taught me to pray—not just for community—but from communion.
And when the answer came, I was ready to steward it.
Want a husband or wife? Make Him your closest partner first. But dob’t stop praying.
Want a community? Make Him your most consistent friend and don’t stop praying.
Want a new job or purpose? Prioritize Him and let Him teach you purpose, and don’t stop praying.
What Does This Say About God?
He’s intentional.
This isn’t the Truman Show—where God sits high above, pulling strings for His own amusement.
No. He indwells you, closer than words can explain, with a hesed love.
He walks with you. Not to entertain Himself, but so the world sees His glory through you.
Scripture says your prayers rise like incense before the throne of God (Revelation 5:8).
I’ve felt the power of my mom’s prayers—even after she passed when I was nine.
Her prayers didn’t expire. Neither do yours.
To entrust my life to Someone who takes seriously the broken and often ignorant words of my mouth…
That’s an honor beyond understanding.
What a Father.
What a King.
What a Friend.
Thank You, Jesus.
I’ll keep praying.
I’ll keep returning.
I’m never finished.