How Often Should You Pray About Something That Really Concerns You?

By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services on Oct 8, 2009

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Q: How often should you pray about something that really concerns you? I heard someone say the other day that if you prayed about something more than once it showed a lack of faith on your part, because it meant you weren't sure God had heard your prayer. Is it wrong to pray repeatedly about something? - Mrs. M.J.

A: No, it isn't wrong to pray repeatedly about something that concerns us. God wants us to bring every concern we have to Him in prayer, and if something still burdens us, we should keep praying about it.

Do you remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? He knew that Judas had already betrayed Him, and that shortly He would be arrested and put to death by the Roman authorities. His response was to pray - and not just once, but repeatedly. His prayer was that if possible some way other than the cross might be found to win our salvation. But there was no other way, and ultimately His prayer was a prayer of submission: "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mark 14:36).

On one occasion, Jesus told a parable that illustrates this truth. In it, a widow repeatedly begged a judge to hear her plea - and eventually he did, because of her persistence. In the same way, Jesus said, "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?" (Luke 18:7).

Don't hesitate to pray about everything that concerns you. God loves you, and He delights in the prayers of His people. That doesn't mean God always answers our prayers the way we wish He would - but He knows what is best for us, and His way is perfect.

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Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.