“Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1).
Every prayer is a mission seeking a miracle. But before we receive divine permission — for all answered prayer must be according to His purpose — there is our personal admission: “I can’t do it myself; I need the Lord’s help.” Then follows submission, when we turn from our desires to the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2). As we pray, there is transmission, when God’s Spirit intercepts our petition and intercedes on our behalf before the throne. Then, most often, it’s time for intermission: waiting on God between the asking and the answer. He hasn’t answered yet? Maybe it’s time for a re-transmission! Remember Elijah is the prototype of those who prayed fervently and received amazing answers, and of him we read, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly… And he prayed again…” (Jas 5:17-18). It was when he prayed again that the blessing came. That’s why the Lord Jesus taught, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1).