“If, at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again…”
That’s an old saying, but there’s an even better one to pen…

If, at first, you don’t succeed, pray, pray again, mindful of God’s grace,
thanking God for His answer, even though you don’t know how or when it will take place.

Jesus touched a blind man again, as if not having immediately fully succeeded. Don’t cast away your confidence, for God still cares about what you’ve needed.

If things have occurred that weren’t what you hoped to see in the land of the living, don’t lose heart, but pray again, with “expectant–yet” thanksgiving!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

 “And he looked up and said, ‘I see men like trees, walking.’

“Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.” Mark 8:22-25 NKJV

…that second touch assisted the blind man’s faith, it seems to me…. Believe in that “second touch” through prayer and continued thankfulness to God that He’s heard your concern.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint….” Luke 18:1 KJV

“Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” Hebrews 10:35 KJV

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV

I recall some time ago hearing some Christians discuss a dilemma that one of them had been going through, when another person among them concluded the conversation with just two words, “more prayer.” We can never underestimate its power. The following are quotes by Oswald Chambers:

“Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.”

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”