PERSEVERING IN PRAYER

"Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all
His benefits - Who forgives all your sins and
heals all your diseases," (Psalm 103:2-3, NIV)

In the early days of my illness, I was constantly
begging God to heal me. Over and over, I would
beg him constantly to take away this disease and
make me well again. Did God answer my fervent,
persistent prayers? Not yet. So far, I am still
not well, although I am much better than I was.
Why hasn't God completely healed me? I believe one
reason is that He has lots to teach me, and I have
lots to learn. Through Chronic Fatigue Immune
Dysfunction Syndrome or "CFIDS", He is teaching me
more about humility, patience, perseverance and
prayer, to name a few things. He has shown me my
sins and my grumbling and complaining heart. He
also is conforming me more into the image of Christ
(Romans 8:28-29), and that takes lots of time!

I love the parable in Luke 11:5-8 about the persistent
neighbor. His friend had arrived at midnight from a
long journey, and the man must have been embarrassed
that he had nothing to give him to eat. Bravely, he
goes and bangs on his neighbor's door at midnight
(I'm not sure I would have been that brave), to
request three loaves of bread. At first, the friend
ignores him, probably thinking he would go away.
"Surely, he won't keep knocking and bothering me at
this time of night," the neighbor was probably
thinking. Instead, because of the man's persistence,
he continues to knock and eventually his friend gets
up and gives him the desired bread.

In this same way, God wants us to be persistent in our
prayers to Him. He wants us to keep asking, keep
knocking, even though it seems at times that God is
never going to answer.

Friend, if you are praying about a need or concern
today that you have prayed about for a long, long time,
don't give up! Jesus Himself says in Luke 11:9-10,
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he
who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door
will be opened." Be persistent! Keep bringing your
request before the Lord, and He will answer in His time.

Dear Father - You are the Giver of every good and
perfect gift. Help us, Lord, not to give up when
You don't immediately answer our prayers. In
Jesus' Name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tammi Rhoney and her husband, Todd, live in Gastonia,
North Carolina with their two dogs, Francy and Jacob.
They have been married eight years, and hope to adopt
in the future. Tammi has had CFIDS/FM for the past
twelve years, and is slowly coming out of a four-year
severe relapse.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

----parting words----



A DEVOTIONAL YOU DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT!



MOSAIC MOMENTS Devotional book by Lisa Copen
and other devotional writers, including our
coordinator, Kay DeCarlo. Get one for yourself
and one for a present for a friend who is hurting.

http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/item1.htm



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TALK BACK!

How has having a chronic illness impacted your
relationship with your mom? We'd love to hear
the good, the bad, and the learning experiences!
Please include your name & city/state.
Send your answer to us at rest@...
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Who live with chronic illness or pain.

Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
toll-free 1-888-751-REST (7378)
copyright 2004



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