Prayer & Perseverance
Mankind’s first attempt to retrieve sound from Mars was in 1999 when microphones were incorporated into the design of NASA’s ‘Mars Polar Lander.’ The Lander blasted off on January 3, 1999. It began its descent to the planet’s surface exactly eleven months later on Dec. 3, 1999. Unfortunately NASA lost communication with the spacecraft as it neared the planet, likely due to the jolt of its landing gear’s deployment prematurely triggering engine shut-down and causing the spacecraft to crash.
Another attempt was made by the French space agency CNES. The well microphoned ‘Netlander’ was scheduled to launch in 2007 but was cancelled in 2004 due to lack of funds.
NASA again made an attempt including a microphone in the ‘Phoenix Lander’ which successfully landed near the Martian north pole in 2008. But just prior to launch it was discovered that operation of the microphone could potentially interfere in the operation of other spacecraft systems, thus it was deactivated. By November of that same year the Phoenix had frozen in the frigid temperatures of the Martian north.
Attempts were also made to include microphones on NASA’s Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and InSight missions, and also on the European Space Agency’s Schiaparelli lander which ended up crashing in 2016.
On July 30, 2020 NASA’s aptly named ‘Perseverance’ launched and after nearly seven months travelling at a speed of about 24,600 mph (c 39,000 kph) arrived intact on the Martian soil on Feb. 18, 2021. The next day Perseverance recorded its first sounds from Mars.
Now, I’m really trying to not say the obvious, but you know it’s just begging to be said: “Perseverance pays”!
Perseverance, “the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition” becomes profitable (worthwhile… brings success) in virtually every setting in which it is found – including prayer!
Jesus even told a parable to emphasize this truth. Scripture very clearly affirms this intent: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
The parable which follows tells of a widow who repeatedly pled to a heartless judge for justice to be done against her adversary. He ignored her many times until he realized it would be less tiring to hear the woman’s case than to keep trying to put her off. He said, “I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” (Luke 18:5 NKJV).
The point of the parable is this: If persistence pays of with such a disagreeable person as this judge then won’t it certainly pay off with a Heavenly Father Who loves us and delights when we come to HIm? The obvious answer: of course He will! (Read the whole story in Luke 18:1-8).
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17 KJV).
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Heb. 10:36 NIV).
“May the Lord direct your hearts… to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thess. 3:5 NLT).
Want to hear from Mars? – PLAY & PRESS HERE.
Want to hear from God? – PRAY & PERSEVERE!
Press on…
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