Flint and Steel

“God’s seasons are not at your beck. If the first stroke of the flint does not bring forth the fire, you must strike again.” -Thomas Manton

Imagine having a great need for fire and you only have the old flint and steel to light it. You strike the two together and nothing, no fire. So you strike again and again. Eventually, after several attempts your spark hits its mark and the fire you desperately desired ignites.

Through persistence with the flint and steel a fire will happen. Through persistence in prayer, petitioning the LORD, He will answer. It may not be the answer you were looking for, but He will answer when He pleases.

I won’t go into detail but years ago I had a terrible situation happen to me. Something i loved with my entire heart was taken away and lies were told about me. I was lost with no answers. But I prayed. I mean I prayed constantly. There were times I found myself praying and didn’t even realize I had been praying. Kinda like my soul was praying without my mind realizing it.

I was striking the steel. I had a great desire, a very urgent request and I did not hesitate to pray. I did this with persistence for just over 9 months and God answered my prayer. Not only did He answer my prayer, He revealed the things in my life where I was failing, showed me the neglect I had showed for Him, and placed both of my feet back on solid ground.

Imagine all the mothers, and fathers who stayed in prayer over a child. Day in and day out, never ceasing and always believing that God would honor His promises. I have a mother and father that prayed countless prayers for me that probably seemed wasn’t working, but they never stopped, they believed God and kept striking the steel.

I know it’s easy to pray for a matter, then see no change, and sometimes give up and try something else. I have done it but hope to never do it again. I have things in my life that’s a constant battle, and I have prayed and begged God for years to remove them or show me how to remove them. I know God will act in His time. He will deliver mercy when He is ready. I’m persistent in these prayers though, I desire greatly to be free of these things and to honor God as He should be, that is what keeps me persistent.

We must be willing to never cease praying. Always be remembering that God hears the prayers of His children. If through persistence we get fire by striking the flint and steel, then we should be more persistent to petition God through prayer, and trust that He sees our needs and will answer accordingly.