Tag: Persistent Prayer - 2 Kings 1-5

2 Kings 4:32-37

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

Tag: Persistent Prayer

The above story centers around the Shunammite woman.  Elisha passed her house on a repeated basis and out of love and kindness she had her husband build an extra room for Elisha to stay in while he traveled.   The woman didn't want anything but Elisha promised her a son.  When the son dies the woman comes to Elisha with the complaint, "Did I ask for a son?  Now he is dead!"   Elisha sends his servant Gehazi ahead of him to try to heal him.   Note the persistent work Elisha has to do in prayer.   We would think a man like Elisha could just whisper a prayer during his sips of coffee in the morning to heal the boy.  That is not how prayer works.   Remember these struggles in prayer:

1. Paul prayed three times for his sickness to be healed and it wasn't (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

2. Daniel prayed and Michael the Archangel was hindered to answer by Satan (Daniel 10:12)

3. Jacob struggle all night in prayer (Genesis 32:22-31)

4. Jesus prayed all night in angst (Luke 22:44)

5.  Spirit of God groans for us in prayer (Romans 8:26-27)

We don't struggle with people in prayer.  Our struggle is spiritual:

Ephesians 6:12-13

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Paul goes on to list the items of the armor we are to hold to and one item is prayer in the Spirit.   We are to be persistent in prayer (Luke 11:5-13).