One of our family habits when the children were younger was to eat out periodically. On one of such occasions, the last child saw a lot of street hawkers who took advantage of the slow traffic to advertise their wares. Within seconds, the boy had asked me to buy products ranging from water, apple, ice cream, to gala. I brought that to the knowledge of his siblings that he seemed not to know what he wanted. It was then that his sister reminded me that on her part she had kept to just one request – water. My son taught me why many do not make the most of their prayers.

Persisting on a subject is a proof that we know what we want. It is also a proof of faith and patience…Unless we stay focused, we cannot move the hands of God in our favour. Focus is a sign of maturity.

When most people pray, they approach it like a lottery. They throw in their requests, moving from item to item, hoping that if one did not nail it the other will be positive. Persisting on a subject is a proof that we know what we want. It is also a proof of faith and patience. Jesus told the story of a widow who came to a judge, seeking to be avenged of her adversary. For a time, the judge did not listen. It was the woman’s importunity that broke the resistance of the judge. Keeping to a particular request is a proof that we truly know what we want. God will ultimately come through for those who know what they want and are persistent. Unless we stay focused, we cannot move the hands of God in our favour. Focus is a sign of maturity.