How Many Times Should I Pray The Same Prayer?

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available — dynamic in its working. (James 5:16 AMP)

​I was asked: “how many times should I pray the same prayer?” “When we repeat prayers, are we praying ‘vain repetitions?’ “Is this an example not having faith?” 

This is a common misconception which primarily comes from misunderstanding the what Jesus told His disciples: “And when you pray do not (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over, and) heap up phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:7 AMP). 

We do not pray to a dead God as the “heathen” prays as in 1st Kings 18:25-29 where the prophets of Baal prayed to the dead god. No. Our God is first of all Alive and well. Our God answers prayers! As children of God we pray based on what He has promised in His Word! We pray according to His Word. The words that we speak are not vain, but they are spirit and life and mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. We serve a God Whose eyes are over the righteous and Whose ears are open to us: When we pray, He hears us and He watches over His Word to perform it. Our God is not dead. He is alive!

I believe the parable of the persistent widow found in (Luke 18:1–8) clarifies that this we are to be persistent in prayer. In this parable Jesus is teaching us that we should always pray and never give up”. Jesus knew His disciples and us His future disciples, you and me, would also need this encouragement. He begins by saying “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). To “lose heart” means “to lose one’s motivation, to lose enthusiasm, become discouraged.” 

Listen in life there will be disappointment, loss, injustice, and persecution. Each one of these could be a good reason to give up and lose hope! But Jesus is saying be persistent. Push through, pray until you get your answer. The parable demonstrates that effective prayer requires tenacity and faithfulness. 

The prophet Daniel had been fasting and praying for twenty-one days on behalf of the people of Jerusalem. On the twenty-fourth day, Daniel the angel of Lord delivered a message from heaven. Daniel 10:12 says, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” from the first day Daniel started praying, heaven heard and began responding. Daniel didn’t see anything until day 24, but Scripture assures us things were changing on day one. Whether or not you’ve seen any change, you can be sure that things began changing the first day you set your heart towards seeking God!

Persistent prayer is not begging God for His blessing, it is just the opposite. Any time you come to God with anything that’s on your mind or heart, you are showing him that he’s the Lord of your life. That he is sovereign, and you are acknowledging who he is and who you are in him. 

Persistent prayer is saying God I am totally dependent on You. I know that You are able to provide, and I believe You will. Faith always has a good report. When adverse circumstances or delay tries to cause you to be tempted to doubt Starve the doubt and feed your faith. Meditate on the Scriptures concerning the matter and declare the Word and Pray until you the answer is fixed in your heart. and DO NOT talk negatively about the matter (Matt. 12:34-37). This is being double minded, and a double-minded man receives nothing from God (James 1:6-8).

Truth is there are times when it may not be easy to be persistent in prayer. You might have moments or seasons where you’re like I just cannot pray about this thing anymore. Guess what? That’s okay. This is why community, and having a prayer partner is so important so that when you reach the point that you are like I can’t pray or think about this anymore you have people in your lives who can come around you and hold you up. To support you, lift you up, and pray for you and with you when you’re not able, no matter what is going on. 

And one last thing: In Ephesians 6, we are instructed to take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and “pray at all times — on every occasion, in every season — in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty” (Eph. 6:18 AMP).

Why? Because the Word of God is your weapon against the temptation to lose heart and grow weary. The Word of God is your weapon against every lie and spiritual opposition that Satan will bring to you.

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power — making it active, operative, energizing and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [that is, of the deepest parts of our nature] exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. " (Hebrews 4:12 AMP)

When that Word of promise becomes fixed in your heart, you will find yourself praising and giving glory to God for the answer, even when the only evidence you have of that answer is your faith. 

Reaffirming your faith enforces the triumphant victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Trusting in God's timing and sovereignty requires patience, humility, and surrendering our wills to His. Whether you are a seasoned prayer or a novice, never forget the power of prayer. It is the very foundation that enables you to go from faith to faith and glory to glory.

I invite you to join us in Bible Study. Our Bible study is on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Eastern Time On Zoom. To receive the link, visit my website at
https://www.cyrusredemptioncenter.org/bible-study.html