Luke 18:1
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
The fast can start strong, but when you hit the midway point, persistence is tested. Your energy dips. The novelty fades. And that’s where real faith begins - when you keep showing up even when it feels ordinary.
Persistence is what faith looks like over time. Jesus told the story of a widow who kept showing up to the same judge, day after day, until justice came.
Jesus didn’t tell this story to encourage us to annoy God into action and to make Him move. He’s already and always moving. It’s about trusting His character enough to stay. Each time you pray, you’re saying, “God, I still believe You’re good.”
During this fast, when you feel weary, lean in rather than back. Let hunger remind you of dependence, not frustration. We know you desire that God would have moved in a particular area by now. But the delay is never wasted - God is working in the waiting.
The “not yet” seasons stretch our faith, but they don’t mean “never.”
Persistent faith is sometimes messy. It’s praying through tears, choosing to show up to church when you’d rather hide, continuing to believe for someone who’s walked away, or choosing integrity when compromise would be easier.
Maybe you’ve been praying for years for the same thing. Keep going. Knock again. Hope again. Heaven honours the ones who don’t give up.
Don’t underestimate the quiet power of staying.
Sometimes we give up just before the shift. Stay long enough to see what He’s been setting up behind the scenes!
And the thing is - when you keep showing up in prayer, something changes in you first - you grow resilient, anchored, and ready. The outcome matters, but what God builds in your heart along the way might matter even more.
If you’ve been believing for something that hasn’t moved yet, today is not the day to give up.
What promise do you need to keep knocking on? Where is God asking you to stay the course and not lose heart?
PRAY BOLD
"God, strengthen my endurance. When I’m tired, breathe fresh hope into me. Teach me to keep praying with faith that You’re working even when I can’t see it. I will not lose heart.”
EQUIPPERS EVERYWHERE:
Today we are praying for Portugal!
(As part of this fast, we’re lifting up our Equippers family and churches around the world. Each day, take a few moments to pray for the country we list and our church/es there - praying for the pastors and people, and believing for God’s presence, power, and provision to move in that nation.)