Persistent prayer is when you pray and pray for a long time, waiting for a response, and none comes. You must continue.
Many years ago, I periodically attended spiritual retreats. Every Monday, after the retreat, I was extremely peaceful. It showed on my face. The office workers would notice a difference in me. Some expressed interest in attending. I stated that in order to attend the retreat required a sponsor. My office mate, Lou was very interested, but he politely refused to fill out the application. I started praying for Lou. This process went on for the next 3 years. I still prayed for Lou.
Lou was an avid softball player, he would play double and triple headers every week from spring through summer, then he would organize trips to Florida to play in the Winter. He spent a lot of time managing the various softball leagues. I still prayed for him.
Lou contracted a virus that disabled him and confined him to bed for three months. I prayed for him at his house. None of his softball buddies visited him during his illness. He returned to work.
When my father passed away, Lou showed up at the funeral and I handed him the application for the retreat. He immediately signed it.
Lou attended the retreat. Lou was extremely peaceful on Monday. I continued to pray for him, because many retreat candidates revert back to the same behavior they exhibited before the retreat. However, he met Sarah at the retreat, started to attend church services, and later became a youth minister in his church. Sarah and Lou are married and have several children.
And twenty years later, I still pray for him.
