Ever prayed and heard nothing back?
Before you decide God is silent, remember this: the problem is never Him. He is eager to see you blessed. Persistent faith bridges the gap between asking and receiving.
Four things can hinder prayer:
- Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:32)
- Pride (James 4:6)
- Selfishness (James 4:3)
- Sin
If your heart is clear of all four and the answer still hasn’t come, the missing ingredient may be persistence, as Jesus taught in Luke 18:1-8. And as a believer, there is no reason to be proud. Humble yourself and keep asking.
If your prayers are vague, how will you recognize the answer when it comes?
Be clear about what you are asking God for. But being specific is not the same as being vain. Pray with purpose, not for show.
Answers to prayer come in two stages:
- Spiritually. God gives you an idea, an instruction or a revelation. Pray until you have a deep conviction in your heart that you’ve been heard (Mark 11:24, Jeremiah 33:3).
- Physically. Once you have received it spiritually, follow through with persistent prayer and action until you see it with your own eyes.
Persistence is the ability to keep going despite challenges and opposition. Once God gives you a revelation, base your actions on what you have seen, not on what you are currently facing.
Think of the widow in Luke 18. She refused to quit, and the judge finally gave in. If an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to His children?
That is persistent faith. It prays, believes and then moves.
In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks whether He will find faith on earth when He returns. Let your answer be yes. Keep praying, keep believing and keep acting until your answer arrives.
What are you believing God for right now? Share in the comments, and let’s stand in persistent faith together.
An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Bolu Oluyomi, on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Watch this sermon here
