Persistence

1 Kings 18:43 (NIV)

Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."

Persistence and perseverance are the key to answered prayers. A lot of us quit after the first or second attempt, thinking God hasn't heard us if our prayers are unanswered. Elijah persisted for seven times until the Lord's prophecy of rain, in the midst of a severe famine in Israel, was fulfilled. Not once, twice or three times, but seven times. Most of us would have given up in disgust and despair after a few attempts, wondering maybe we misheard the Lord. Just like the persistent widow in the Lord's parables who kept demanding justice, Elijah believed the Lord's promise of rain and would have sent his servant countless times to verify the onset of rain. That's persisting in faith, and that's what pleases our Father.