¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

The third exhortation of this verse has to do with persevering in prayer.

be constant [persevere] in prayer.

Believers should never lose sight of the importance of prayer. We need to keep an open line with God because prayer is central to the life of the church.

The word “constant” carries the idea of not only persistence in prayer but also the effort necessary for habitual praying. Prayer requires habit.

PRINCIPLE:

Prayer requires constant attention.

APPLICATION:

Persistent prayer is fundamental to Christian living. Many Christians have difficulty in maintaining a habitual prayer life. Satan will attempt to keep us from prayer if he can.

Lu 18:1, Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

Acts 6:4, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

God ordained prayer in His sovereign plan. He chose to do some things because of prayer. Some things never happen because the saints never prayed for it. There is power in prevailing prayer.