{"id":258796,"date":"2023-01-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?p=258796"},"modified":"2023-08-08T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T17:36:27","slug":"power-persistent-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/blog\/power-persistent-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Persistent Prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Brock was in trouble, so Dennis felt moved to pray.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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From left to right: Dennis and Brock<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

The two had become friends when they attended a Christian high school, and both went on to the University of Alabama<\/a>. But there their paths diverged. Dennis continued to follow Jesus; Brock pursued the lifestyle of partying.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dennis prayed for Brock every day. \u201cI loved him a lot,\u201c he explains. \u201cThe path he was going down was dark and depressing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For the sake of maintaining the relationship, Dennis sometimes hung out with Brock and his friends as they prepared to hit the bars\u2014by drinking. But he never drank with them.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Being alongside but not participating, Dennis saw the deception they had fallen into.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He recalls, \u201cThe guys would have this big buildup\u2014how they were going to go to a bar and have a great time. Then they\u2019d get there and be disappointed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dennis prayed that Brock would find what he was searching for in Christ. That he would come to know Gods love and salvation. He asked God to \u201cremove from [Brock] a heart of stone and give [him] a heart of flesh. Then [he] will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws\u201d (Ezekiel 11:19-20<\/a>). But Brock continued to pursue his destructive lifestyle.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Prayer Works<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

After Dennis graduated, the two would watch sports or work out together. Dennis moved to Tennessee for a time and only saw Brock on holidays. Brock continued partying and following his own plans for finding happiness. But Dennis kept praying to God to soften Brock\u2019s heart.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A few years later his ministry with international students brought him back to Birmingham. He saw or texted Brock occasionally. But he saw no impact from his prayers.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Brock held him at arm\u2019s length, not willing to engage in anything beyond surface-level conversation. Brock had no interest in talking about Jesus. But Dennis kept asking God to work in his life.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Then one day he got a phone call from Brock. This was unusual\u2014the two had always texted.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got something to tell you\u2014do you have a minute?\u201d Brock said. \u201cI became a Christian today! I just gave my life to Jesus. Would you consider discipling me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dennis\u2019s eyes filled with tears. He had prayed for Brock consistently for 10 years, asking God to change Brock\u2019s heart. And now Brock had surrendered his life to the Lord!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What changed? Brock recalls how God had brought a Christian woman into his life who had a \u201cprofound impact\u201d on him while they dated. And finally, the appeal of his lifestyle grew thin.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He had just returned from a weekend in Chicago with his partying friends. He sat in his apartment, reflecting deeply on his life. \u201cI realized it was futile, empty. It wasn\u2019t what I wanted,\u201d he says. \u201cI came to the end of myself.\u201d He decided to ask God for forgiveness and into his life. He wanted to follow Jesus and he knew who to ask for help\u2014Dennis.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What God Does Through Prayer<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Brock and Dennis began meeting, going over what it looks like to live the Christian life. As they studied the Word of God together, Dennis saw God \u201cpeeling back the layers\u201d left over from Brock\u2019s old lifestyle and disposing of those things, one by one.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Today, more than six years later, he says Brock is \u201ca completely different person.\u201d God transformed Brock from the inside out. Instead of looking for the next party he is pursuing things that last.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cHis continual growth and trust in the Lord through ups and downs has been remarkable to see,\u201d Dennis says. \u201cHe loves Jesus and is striving to grow and glorify God in every area of his life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Brock now leads a Bible study and recently invited a coworker to attend. He helps out in Dennis\u2019s ministry to international students. It blows him away that Dennis prayed for him faithfully for so many years. Does that encourage him to be persistent in praying for others?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cAbsolutely!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Discipleship Tip:\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Is there someone who doesn\u2019t know Jesus whom God has especially laid on your heart? Ask God to lead you in how to pray consistently and persistently for them.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\t