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By Mervyn Morelock, Lt. Colonel
“Never, never, never, never give up!”
These words of Prime Minister Winston Churchill encouraged the British people and the world during World War II. We should remember them when we pray. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results (James 5:16b NLT).
In today’s hurry-up world of instant communication, quick fixes, quick weight loss programs, and the belief that anything can be sped up or fixed overnight, we expect answered prayer as an ordained right.
We anticipate that our prayers will be heard and answered immediately. These days, we’re no longer surprised when surgery that used to require several days or weeks for recovery can be done on an outpatient basis. One of our bandsmen recently had a heart valve replaced and was back playing in the band in less than a week!
The Bible teaches that we need to practice an old virtue not seen much these days. James says, Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return (James 5:7).
Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. His experience showed how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy (James 5:11).
For the last several months, the media has provided several examples of patience, although the focus was not on that aspect of the story. About four and half years ago, a young man was found murdered in his Phoenix home. After a few weeks, his assailant was arrested and preparations made for her trial. The trial took over four months and received worldwide media coverage. For weeks and weeks every graphic detail came out for the world to hear and see.
I wondered about the family. They sat through four months of repeated references to the incident, over and over, on TV, in newspapers, magazines and on the radio. It was a frenzy. Finally, the verdict was announced: “Guilty!” Now that the trial is over, sentencing decisions still must to be made.
And how about the family? They displayed amazing strength, courage and faith. They faced the media blitzes; now is the time for patience and healing from the loss of their son. And we offer our prayers for family and friends, that God will bring peace and healing.
The second example of prayer, faith and patience came from the families of the three Cleveland girls who were kidnapped, trapped and locked up in chains for a decade.
Their story is of courage, faith and patience. The girls finally escaped when one of them kicked the door down and told a 911 dispatcher, “I’m free now.”
The families of these girls deserve respect for not giving up. They prayed every day for a decade, not knowing if their girls were alive or dead. They prayed and held regular prayer vigils for their safe return. And God answered their prayers.
Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. (Matt 7:7-8).
“Never, never, never, never give up!”
