As I entered the church vigil that night, I sensed it was my moment. I had tried every avenue to secure admission into the university, but to no avail. That night, I poured my heart out in prayer, aligning myself with every word spoken during the 7-hour vigil. And as it concluded, I knew I had broken through.
Friend, prayer is not a causal activity. It is an intentional one (Acts 6:4). It is not about the gymnastics. It is about the result. Many people pray, but few people prevail in prayer. It is those who prevail in prayer that eventually prevail in destiny. Jacob moved from a schemer to a prince through prevailing prayer (Genesis 32:28).
There is a certain level you attain in prayer that you know that it is too late for you to fail (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Most breakthroughs in life are tied to breakthrough in prayer. There is no sudden rise anywhere. Success is not luck. Miracles are triggered. Nothing just happens. Things are made to happen (Luke 4:14, 5:16-17).
You have to travail to prevail (Isaiah 66:8). Not many people are used to this kind of prayer. Some people have the idea that “God is not difficult, so why stress myself in prayer?” What they fail to realise is that it is not just about God. It is about our flesh, the environment, and forces in the spirit realm that won’t let us go (Matthew 16:18-19).
Prevailing in prayer is not struggling with or prevailing against God (Daniel 10:12-13). God is always on our side. Therefore, our wrestle is not with God. Even when answers are delayed, never think it is God who’s delaying the answer. It is our flesh, demonic forces, as well as the will of man. These are what we are to prevail against (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
Prevailing prayers are heartfelt, long, and consistent prayers (James 5:17-18). Like Elijah, until you prevail, the sound of rain may never become the sight of rain. To see what you have heard from God come to pass, you need to prevail in prayer. You keep pushing until the resistance gives way. You pray until something happens. You need to prevail in prayer (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria