AUGUST 26

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Oh, wow,a chemistry set!” exclaimed Kok Beng when he opened his birthday present. “It’s just what I wanted!” His parents chuckled. “We know,” said Mom. “How could we help but know, with all the hints you’ve given?” “Hints?” asked Kok Beng innocently.

Dad laughed. “Well, when I entered the bathroom last Monday, I found pictures of chemistry sets taped to the mirror,” he said. “I kind of took that to be a hint.”

“And when I went out to buy your present,” Mom added, “I found a note in my purse that said, ‘Don’t forget the C.S.! Love, Guess who.’” Kok Beng grinned. “I guess I have been kind of a pest,” he admitted. “I hope you’re not mad at me.”

“Of course not,” replied his father. “You weren’t rude about it, just persistent. Actually, we like it when you let us know what you really want, even though we don’t always give it to you right away,or at all.”

“I can’t wait to show this to Steve. Can I go call him?” Kok Beng asked eagerly. “That reminds me,you were praying for a chance to witness to Steve,” said Dad. “How did that turn out?”

Kok Beng looked uncomfortable.“Well, I did pray about it for a while, but nothing seemed to happen, so I kind of forgot about it.” “Speaking of prayer,” said Mom, “you also said you were going to pray for ways to help the Junior Worship teachers. Are you still praying about that?”

Kok Beng shook his head. “I just sort of forgot about it and did not press on…” “Hmmm,” murmured Dad. “You’ve learned to be persistent when it comes to asking your earthly parents for birthday presents,” he said, “but apparently you haven’t applied that principle to your heavenly Father. Too often we say a halfhearted prayer about something, and then we forget all about it. The Bible teaches us that God wants us to pray persistently, too!”

Thought: Is there something you have prayed about? A friend or relative who is sick? Someone who needs Jesus? Schoolwork? Whatever it is, be sure to keep on praying.

Prayer: Help me Heavenly Father to persevere in prayer. I ask that You will grant me more faith so that I will press on even if I need to pray long and hard for something. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.