11 Bible Verses about Prayer, Persistence In

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair. "There was," he said, "in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man. In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said 'Grant me justice against my opponent.'read more.
For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for man, Yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.'" Then the Master added: "Listen to what this iniquitous judge says! And God--will not he see that his own People, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them--though he holds his hand? He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Jesus also said to them: "Suppose that one of you who has a friend were to go to him in the middle of the night and say 'Friend, lend me three loaves, For a friend of mine has arrived at my house after a journey, and I have nothing to offer him;' And suppose that the other should answer from inside 'Do not trouble me; the door is already fastened, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything';read more.
I tell you that, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is a friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him what he wants. And so I say to you--Ask, and your prayer shall be granted: search, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. For he that asks receives, he that searches finds, and to him that knocks the door shall be opened.

They all united in devoting themselves to Prayer, and so did some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to the Common Life of the Church, to the Breaking of the Bread and to the Prayers.

Pray in spirit at all times. Be intent upon this, with unwearying perseverance and supplication for all Christ's People- -

Rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer;

Never cease to pray;

Elijah was only a man like ourselves, but, when he prayed fervently that it might not rain, no rain fell upon the land for three years and a half. And, when he prayed again, the clouds brought rain, and the land bore crops.

"Father," he said, "if it is thy pleasure, spare me this cup; only, not my will but thine be done." [Presently there appeared to him an angel from Heaven, who strengthened him. And, as his anguish became intense, he prayed still more earnestly, while his sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground.]

Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples: "Sit down here while I go and pray yonder." Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebediah, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind. "I am sad at heart," he said, "sad even to death; wait here and watch with me."read more.
Going on a little further, he threw himself on his face in prayer. "My Father," he said, "if it is possible, let me be spared this cup; only, not as I will, but as thou willest." Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. "What!" he said to Peter, "could none of you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak." Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed. "My Father," he said, "if I cannot be spared this cup, but must drink it, thy will be done!" And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy.

Presently they came to a garden known as Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples "Sit down here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John; and began to show signs of great dismay and deep distress of mind. "I am sad at heart," he said, "sad even to death; wait here, and watch."read more.
Going on a little further, he threw himself on the ground, and began to pray that, if it were possible, he might be spared that hour. "Abba, Father," he said, "all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me; yet, not what I will, but what thou willest." Then he came and found the three Apostles asleep. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could not you watch for one hour? Watch and pray," he said to them all, "that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak." Again he went away, and prayed in the same words; And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say to him.