Praying for perseverance falls under the category of be careful what you pray for because, like patience, we develop perseverance through trials and tribulations. According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, perseverance is “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” I don’t know about you, but to me that seems like an everyday event. There is always something trying to derail me from the task in front of me. Since trials and tribulations are unavoidable, I pray for perseverance and the grace to do whatever it is that needs to be done on any given day.
Jesus warned us that the world was full of tribulation but not to fear because he had overcome the world (John 16:33). The good news is that we are not required to persevere on our own. God sent the Holy Spirit to help us, the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. If the Holy Spirit has the power of resurrection, then He has the power to help me get out of bed every morning and face the day.
Besides the Holy Spirit, we also have some encouraging scriptures to remind us why we keep doing what we are called to do. Let’s take a few moments to transform our minds from an “I have to” to an “I get to” attitude with the help of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit as we persevere through whatever the day may bring. Let’s pray that perseverance will have its work in us and make us more like Christ each passing day.
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"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)
If in nothing else, we should persevere in doing good. Our world is full of negativity, anger, and violence. It needs a dose of good, whether it is smiling at a stranger, holding a door, giving a listening ear, or just sitting quietly with someone. We are God’s hands and feet on the earth to spread the love of Christ even when we want to huddle in the corner of our homes.
There was a time not too long ago that I battled anxiety brought on by a magnesium and D-3 deficiency. Going to the mailbox seemed like a trip of many miles and driving to work required a major pep talk, so doing good was really a strain. Yet, the Holy Spirit always provided enough to do whatever needed to be done that day. The more I prayed and relied on Him, the better I felt and the more I got done. He will do the same for you.
Father, help me persevere in doing good. Even when it seems like I am wasting my time on a world that doesn’t care, You can use it to reach people. Even if I never see a change or hear a thank you, remind me that I am not called to do good so that I can receive thanks, but to say thanks for what I have already been given. Amen.
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“For Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
It is hard to move forward when we are living in the past. The enemy has perfected the art of reminding us of all the bad things that have happened or of all our past failures so that we are frozen in place. We aren’t meant to live in the past. Life is lived in the present as we move forward in Christ.
Sometimes I catch myself rehashing something that happened in the past, wasting precious time in the present. The effort I spent in trying to make sense of events or trying to come up with a rebuttal against those who have hurt or angered me uses up the energy I could be using toward making progress on something positive. It takes perseverance to shut off that voice in my head and replace it with the truths of God.
Holy Spirit, help me recognize when the enemy is trying to distract me with the past. Help me persevere by taking the next right step forward in Your Will. Help me focus on what You want me to do today. All I have is today, and I want to make the most of every minute by moving forward, not looking back. Amen.
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“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
If we are going to run a race, we have to let go of what is holding us back and persevere to the finish line. Runners try to make themselves as light as possible by wearing the right clothing and shoes. They don’t run with a backpack or extra weight. People often talk about how we can carry baggage from our past. If we truly want to turn the race, then we need to leave the baggage at the curb. Sin, once forgiven, is forgotten as far as God is concerned, so we have no need of it on our journey. Perseverance doesn’t require weight training of this kind.
I am always struck by two other points in this verse. First, we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who have already finished their race. They are cheering us on and reminding us that it can be done. Second, their race is not our race. God is not in the comparison game. Each person has a race set before them that is unique to them. It doesn’t matter what the other runners are doing or what path they are following; you stick to your path and keep moving forward.
Father, help me keep my eyes on the race set before me. Help me persevere when I face difficult mountains or dark valleys. Thank you for the cheerleaders you have sent before me who pointed me in the right direction. Help me to be a cheerleader to those around me and do the same for them. Help me endure until the finish line. Amen.
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Perseverance and joy seem like ill-fitting partners, at least on the surface. It seems like a contradiction to count something joy when it comes to trials and tribulations. Yet, some of my greatest joy and satisfaction came from completing a difficult project. Few people are joyful when they are stretching their endurance in a workout, but they are joyful when they see the results it brings. Trials produce similar results in us spiritually.
One of my hobbies is knitting. Most knitters love choosing a project, finding the right yarn, casting on stitches, and finishing the project. Most knitters don’t love that section in between where the pattern is difficult or has become monotonous. We want to finish without doing the hard work, but the hard work is precisely why I feel extreme satisfaction at a project’s completion. I have grown my knitting skills by learning a new technique and have something beautiful that I can joyfully show off.
The trick is finding joy in the middle. There is joy to be had in just the act of knitting. There is joy to be had in knowing that the Holy Spirit is making us more like Christ when we face trials in faith. Every trial we persevere through makes us stronger and more prepared for the next one.
Father, help me to find joy in small things, even in difficult moments. Help me persevere through trials in faith and with an attitude of joy instead of a stoic acceptance. I want to be a light to others who face trials. Let the joy of the Lord be my strength. Amen.
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“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
We can persevere because we have hope. Sometimes I forget that I have it, but it is mine just the same. We have hope in Christ Jesus for a life everlasting, but we also have hope for a better tomorrow. Everyone will have seasons where it seems like there is nothing but one trial after another without any breathing room, but seasons weren’t made to last.
I went through a stretch like this not so long ago, and sometimes I still struggle with having hope. I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall, tense and even a little anxious. When I started doing my annual review and planning for the next 12 weeks, I picked my word of the year and a scripture. After praying, I felt the word FORWARD was what God wanted me to focus on this year. My scripture is Philippians 3:13-14 which I discussed earlier. However, God added a phrase to my word: Forward in Hope.
I have been trying to move forward, but I was lacking hope. I had become afraid to hope because I didn’t want to be disappointed. There’s not much joy when you live like that for very long. God has a plan for us that is good (Jeremiah 29:11). So, let’s persevere this year in hope, not just acceptance.
Father, I know You are good, and You want good for me. Help me persevere through trials knowing they will not last forever and that You are always with me. Help me to set aside the past and look forward in hope. Amen.
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