The Power of Unceasing Prayer

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Recently I received a call from a friend who excitedly told me how her daughter had a supernatural encounter with the Lord in Miami. There was no choir, no church, no pastor, no building.  Just her daughter on the beach and the Lord.

Two weeks later after her daughter returned from her vacation, she called me. She related her encounter with her Maker in such detail, I felt I was on the beach with her.  It was amazing and at the same time very personal and sweet. She was completely sold out for Jesus. She repeatedly said she needed to thank her mom for praying without giving up on her.

I remember occasionally praying with my friend for her daughter. There were days of despair, hopelessness and anguish. But she didn’t give up. And that day when she got a phone call from her child to say she met Jesus in such a profound way, the wait was worth it. She saw the results of her labor in prayer, in a tangible way.

This is such a great reminder for anyone interceding for a friend or family member who have wandered far from the Lord and may not be even living in the same city.

Sometimes we feel the Lord has to or must, use us as part of His plan to bring them to Christ, After all we’ve lifted them up in prayer, fasted, witnessed to them for many moons haven’t we? But not necessarily. He is well able to turn someone’s heart to Himself with a personal encounter. All He requires of us is to pray consistently, without ceasing, believing despite all odds that He will find a way to reach that soul.

1 Thessalonians 5: 17
Pray without ceasing.

To keep this in mind is truly freeing as it takes the responsibility of bringing that person to Christ off our shoulders. It was never meant to be our responsibility in the first place. When we try to control the outcome of our prayer, things go sideways. Relationships suffer, bitterness and anger seep in and our focus is completely misaligned.

As my friend’s daughter was recounting the incident in Miami, I have to truthfully admit that I wondered how long this excitement would last. Will she return to her old ways after a few weeks? Will she begin to question that encounter? Will the enemy drag her back to doubt and fear?
But the fire has not died down. The last time I spoke to my friend, her daughter has joined a church and is growing in the Word and her room wall has posters with scriptures written on it.

Are you praying for someone and all you see is that person walking even further away from the Lord? Then don’t give up. The God of the universe has His eye on them and will turn them around even if He has to meet them one on one on a beach in Miami.

In His Service,

Sohani Faria

Director
Sound of the Lord Mission