Tag Archives: prayer and faith

Effective Prayer

Persistent Prayer: Standing Firm Like the Tamarisk

The Power of Unwavering Prayer

Prayer is not a one-time act—it is a relentless pursuit of God’s presence. Persistent prayer is key. Too often, believers pray once, see no immediate answer, and assume God is silent. But Yeshua taught that true faith is persistent.

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged.” (Luke 18:1, NASB)

Just as the persistent widow refused to give up until justice was served (Luke 18:1-8), we are called to pray without ceasing. Real faith does not waver—it presses in, stands firm, and refuses to let go.

The Tamarisk Tree: A Symbol of Enduring Prayer

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba as a declaration of faith in El Olam, the Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33). The tamarisk is no ordinary tree—it grows slowly, requiring years to reach maturity, yet it thrives in harsh conditions. It is a tree of endurance, a picture of persistent prayer.

Like the tamarisk, effective prayer is not about speed but about rootedness. God is not looking for fleeting prayers—He is looking for those who will stand firm, pressing in even when answers seem delayed.

Why Persistent Prayer Matters

1. It Aligns You with God’s Timing

God’s delays are not His denials. Just as the tamarisk tree grows year after year, your prayers are working even when you don’t see immediate results. Keep pressing in—He is moving in ways you cannot yet perceive.

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.” (Habakkuk 2:3, NASB)

2. It Strengthens Your Faith

The persistent widow refused to stop knocking on the judge’s door. She knew persistence would bring justice. In the same way, every time you pray, your faith grows stronger. The waiting season is a training ground for unshakable faith.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12, NASB)

3. It Defeats the Enemy’s Strategies

The enemy wants you to give up. He wants you to believe your prayers are ineffective.But persistent prayer wears down the resistance of darkness. Every prayer is a declaration that you trust God more than your circumstances.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NASB)

How to Pray with Persistence

  • Commit to daily, unwavering prayer. Do not let feelings dictate your consistency.
  • Declare God’s promises. Pray His Word, believing His faithfulness.
  • Keep pressing in, even when the answer seems delayed. Faith is built in the waiting.
  • Surrender the outcome to God. Persistent prayer is not about forcing your will, but about aligning with His.

A Call to Press In

God is calling you to stand firm like the tamarisk tree, to pray without ceasing, to hold fast in faith. Your prayers are not wasted. Every cry, every whisper, every petition is seen by El Olam, the Everlasting God.

Will you persist? Will you knock again? Will you trust that even when you see nothing, God is still working?

Prayer

Father, teach me to pray with endurance. Let my prayers be like the tamarisk tree—deeply rooted, unwavering, and steadfast through every season. Strengthen my faith to press in even when I see no immediate answer. Help me to trust Your timing, to persevere, and to believe that You are working in ways beyond my understanding. I refuse to give up—I will stand firm in prayer, trusting in Your promises. In the mighty name of Yeshua, Amen.

See Also

Effective Prayer

Deeply Rooted: Praying with Unshakable Faith

The Strength of a Deeply Rooted Prayer Life

Your faith was never meant to be shallow. God calls you to be deeply rooted—anchored in Him, unwavering in the storm. But too often, prayer is treated like a last resort rather than a foundation. Praying with unshakable faith can help you stand firm when trials come, rather than withering under pressure.

The righteous are described in Scripture as trees planted by streams of water:

“He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3, NASB)

This is the kind of prayer life you are called to have—one that flourishes, bears fruit, and remains unshaken no matter the season. This comes from praying with faith that is unshakable.

Shallow Prayers Cannot Withstand the Storm

Too many believers pray reactively instead of proactively. They seek God only when a crisis arises, but a life built on shallow prayers will collapse when the winds of hardship blow. Yeshua warned against this:

“And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” (Matthew 7:26, NASB)

Shallow faith leads to shaky prayers. But when your roots are deep in God’s presence, no storm can uproot you. Your prayers become more than just cries for help—they become declarations of faith, grounded in the unchanging promises of El Olam, the Everlasting God, with unshakable faith.

How to Develop a Deeply Rooted Prayer Life

1. Plant Yourself in God’s Word

Just as a tree draws life from the soil, your faith is nourished by Scripture. Prayer and the Word cannot be separated. When you pray, speak God’s promises—declare them over your life. Let His truth anchor you as you pray with unshakable faith.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, NASB)

2. Pray with Persistence, Not Just Emotion

A deeply rooted prayer life is not dependent on feelings. You pray because God is faithful, not because you feel inspired. Abraham waited for decades for God’s promise, yet he did not waver in faith (Romans 4:20). Like the tamarisk tree, which takes years to mature, persistent prayer develops endurance and strength, reflecting praying with faith that is unwavering.

3. Remain in His Presence Daily

Trees planted by water do not uproot themselves. Stay planted in God’s presence. Do not treat prayer as a one-time act—let it be the constant flow of your life. The secret place is where strength is built.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4, NASB)

4. Trust the Growth Process

The strongest trees grow over time, their roots deepening through years of nourishment and endurance. The same is true of your faith. God is developing something in you even when you don’t see immediate results. Keep praying with unshakable faith. Keep pressing in. Your roots are growing.

A Call to Stand Firm

God is looking for those who will pray with unwavering faith. Not those who bend with every trial, but those who remain deeply rooted in Him. Will you be one of them? Will you choose to stand firm in prayer, trusting that your faith is being strengthened even now?

Your prayers today are not just for the present—they are seeds of faith planted for the future. Like a tree by the river, you will not be moved. Commit to praying with an unshakable faith, and see how God moves in your life.

Prayer

Father, plant me deep in You. Let my prayer life be rooted in faith, unshaken by circumstances. Teach me to pray beyond emotion, beyond convenience, with endurance and persistence. May I be like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in every season. Strengthen me, Lord, that I may stand firm, anchored in Your Word and abiding in Your presence. I trust in You, my Everlasting God. In Yeshua’s name, Amen. Let me always be praying with unshakable faith.

See Also:

Faith, Spiritual

The Power of God

The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name. – Exodus 15:3 (NASB) This verse reveals the power of God in action. He is not passive or distant—He is a mighty warrior, actively fighting for His people. From the battles of Israel to the spiritual warfare we face today, His strength remains unmatched. When we call on Him, we are not alone; the Lord Himself goes before us, bringing victory in His name.

When we call upon El Gibbor, the Mighty God, we are not praying to a distant deity who is indifferent to our struggles. We are crying out to the Warrior-King who fights on our behalf. His power is beyond measure, and His victories are absolute. The battle belongs to the Lord, and when we seek Him in prayer, He moves mightily in response with the power of God.

God, the Mighty Warrior

The psalmist declares, “Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8, NASB) This is the God to whom we pray—a God who does not lose battles. When we lift our voices to Him, we are not pleading with weakness; we are aligning ourselves with the One who has never known defeat. His triumphs show the power of God.

How often do we forget this truth? We face trials, oppression, and spiritual warfare, yet we act as if we are alone. But we are not alone. The King of Glory stands ready, waiting for His people to cry out so that He may show Himself strong on their behalf.

Are We on the Lord’s Side?

When Joshua stood before Jericho, he encountered a mighty figure with a drawn sword. He asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” But the response was clear: “No; rather, I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” (Joshua 5:13-14, NASB)

This is a sobering reminder: God does not take sides in human conflicts—we must take His side. He is the Commander of the heavenly armies, and our duty is to align ourselves with Him. Too often, we pray for God to fight for our personal agendas, but true victory comes when we surrender to His will and understand the power of God.

God Gives Victory to His People

Prayer is not merely a religious duty—it is a divine invitation. When we pray, we activate the power of God in our lives. Scripture assures us, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NASB)

Victory is not something we strive for in our own strength; it is something God gives. When we humble ourselves before Him, when we seek Him with all our hearts, He answers—not always in the way we expect, but always in the way we need. His response is never weak or uncertain. He moves with power, establishing His victory in the lives of those who trust Him, showcasing the power of God.

More Than Conquerors Through Him

The battles we face may seem overwhelming, but the Word of God reminds us: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NASB) Notice the wording—more than conquerors. God does not just help us survive; He makes us victorious beyond what we could have imagined.

Through Him, we do not just endure. We overcome. Our prayers are not empty words thrown into the wind; they are declarations of faith that summon the power of God Almighty. He fights for us, and because of His love, we are never defeated.

Calling Upon the Mighty One

Today, if you feel weary, if the battle seems too strong, remember who fights for you. Lift your voice in prayer, for the Lord is mighty in battle. He does not turn a deaf ear to His children. He hears. He responds. He moves with the power of God.

But as we pray, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly on the Lord’s side? Are we seeking His will above our own? Are we fighting for His kingdom, or are we asking Him to fight for our own causes? The victory belongs to those who align themselves with the Commander of the Lord’s army.

Let us press into His presence with confidence, knowing that the Mighty Warrior stands ready to bring victory into our lives.

Prayer

El Gibbor, Mighty Warrior, we call upon You today. We acknowledge Your strength and power, and we trust that You fight for us. Forgive us for the times we have doubted, for the moments we have feared instead of standing firm in faith. Help us to be on Your side, fully surrendered to Your will. We surrender every battle into Your hands, knowing that You are mighty in battle. Arise, O Lord, and show Yourself strong on our behalf. We believe that through You, we are more than conquerors. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

See Also

Advent, Faith, Spiritual

Fan the flame of God’s gift

In this season of Advent, we remember the coming of Christ—His first arrival as a child and the promise of His return as King. This is a season of reflection, hope, and expectation. But it is also a season of action—a time to rekindle the fire of God’s purpose within us and fan the flame of God’s gift.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21, he said: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” In the same way, the Holy Spirit has planted a purpose, a calling, and gifts within you. Like Joseph, we must reject fear and embrace what God has conceived in us.

The Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy provide an urgent reminder: “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you… For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of sound judgment” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 AMP). Paul recognized that fear and intimidation can weaken even the strongest believers, reducing their passion to mere embers. But he also knew the truth: God’s power and presence are always available to stir the fire within us.

Do Not Let the Flame Die

There are seasons in life when the flame of God’s calling feels weak—times when fear, weariness, and discouragement threaten to silence the gifts God has placed in us. Perhaps you feel like the embers of your faith are barely glowing. But hear this: The fire is not gone. It only needs to be stirred.

Paul’s instruction to “fan into flame” is both a command and a promise. You have a role to play in reviving the fire within you. Like a flame that requires oxygen and fuel, the gifts of God need to be nurtured with prayer, time in His Word, and faith-filled action. Advent calls us to this very work: to prepare our hearts, renew our strength, and reignite our passion for His purpose.

God’s Work in You Mirrors His Advent Promise

Advent teaches us that God works in ways we do not always see or understand. The child conceived in Mary was not an ordinary child, and the work He does within you is not ordinary either. As the angel declared, “Do not be afraid… for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” In the same way, what God has begun in you is of Him.

God has given you gifts to share with the world, a light to shine in dark places. Jesus Himself says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 AMP). Your gifts are not small, and your calling is not insignificant. This world needs what God has placed within you.

Practical Steps to Fan the Flame

1. Return to the Word of God

God’s Word is the fuel for your spiritual fire. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 AMP). Spend time daily in Scripture, allowing His truth to renew your mind and ignite your faith.

2. Pray and Invite the Holy Spirit to Move

The Holy Spirit is the fire within you. Just as He filled the early church with boldness and power, He is ready to refresh and empower you. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6 AMP).

3. Reject Fear and Discouragement

Fear is the enemy’s tool to silence your calling. Yet God has declared, “The righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1 AMP). Refuse to let intimidation steal your purpose. Declare His promises and walk in His strength.

4. Share Your Light with Others

The gifts God has given you are meant to bless others and glorify Him. Jesus calls us to action: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 AMP).

A Call to Action

Beloved, now is not the time to let your fire grow cold. The same Spirit who spoke to Joseph, who empowered Mary, and who filled Timothy with boldness, dwells within you. Fan into flame the gift of God. Blow upon the embers of your faith with prayer, surrender, and obedience. God has placed His light within you—do not let fear or weariness diminish it.

The Advent message is one of hope and preparation. Christ has come to bring life, light, and salvation, and He has called you to carry that light to the world. The gifts He has placed in you are not for you alone; they are for a world desperate for His truth and love.

A Prayer to Fan the Flame

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gifts You have placed within me. Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, doubt, or discouragement to weaken my passion for Your purpose. I ask You now to fan into flame the gifts You have given me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to walk boldly in Your calling. Let my life shine brightly for Your glory, reflecting the hope of Christ to those around me.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

A Decree for Advent

We decree that the gifts of God within us are stirred afresh. Fear is broken, boldness arises, and the fire of the Holy Spirit burns brightly in us.

This Advent, fan the flame. Christ has come, and He is coming again. Let your life burn for Him.

See Also