One key component of effective praying is importunity. That means we pray over and over for the same thing because we know it is God’s will, and we know that God wants us to ask again and again until He does it. Our persistence isn’t a sign of low faith; on the contrary, it is a sign of great faith.

 Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus went away from there and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away because she keeps shouting at us.” But He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus told her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

I didn’t have peace and freedom from anxiety about my hip replacement surgery at first, but I kept asking God for His strength and peace until He gave it to me. It is God’s will that I have His strength. It is His will that I have His incomprehensible peace. So, I have to ask and keep asking until His will is a reality in my life.