Day 39

Susie Naismith | Re:Hope West End

I love the fact that Jesus is a storyteller. I find it amazing that Mark 4:34 says that “in his public ministry, he never taught without using parables”.  Martin Luther said, “literature is the forerunner of the gospel”, in other words, stories can prepare people’s hearts to receive the good news. 

In 2015, I started writing a children’s novel. That year, I attended an imaginative prayer seminar at a Summer School organised by the Navigators. We were invited to make a collage of magazine cut-outs and ask God to speak to us through it. I was drawn to a picture of a jar of jam which was so dark it looked like ink. As I was contemplating this image, the words “the fruit of your labour” (Psalm 128:2) came to mind and God assured me that my labour would not be in vain. 

After years of working, waiting, and praying, multiple rejections, giving up and trying again, my novel was published last year. On the day that it was published, I was reading the psalms for Bible Read Through (slightly behind schedule!). I came to Psalm 128:2:

“You will eat the fruit of your labour”

and God reminded me of that moment when He spoke to me about my writing years before. 

I am so thankful to God for giving me the patience to persevere in what He has called me to do, and for giving me a dream and then fulfilling it. If you have a dream, or a promise, or a word from God, don’t give up, because He will do what He says He is going to do. 

Tola Mak | Re:Hope West End

My mom was sick and suddenly could not walk.

She’s been back and forth between 5 different hospitals and home. She took her first steps yesterday. God is faithful. 

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As we near the end of 40 Days, in what ways or areas do you need perseverance in prayer?  Ask God to help you make a plan to persevere.