Luke 18:1 “Now He was
telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to
lose heart.”
Jesus is the one who answers our prayers—and He is teaching us about how to pray and about how prayer works. First He says to pray at all times. Do you realize that some things will not happen unless you pray? Otherwise, prayer would serve no purpose. The problem is we only pray when we need something and not “at all times.”
Jesus is the one who answers our prayers—and He is teaching us about how to pray and about how prayer works. First He says to pray at all times. Do you realize that some things will not happen unless you pray? Otherwise, prayer would serve no purpose. The problem is we only pray when we need something and not “at all times.”
Second, it’s easy to get discouraged and lose heart. He knows that when we don’t see the answer to our
prayers that we can be tempted to quit praying.
Notice that Jesus is the one who told us to keep praying, even
when it looks like nothing is happening.
Luke 18:2-3 "In a certain city
there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.
There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me
legal protection from my opponent.'”
There are three reasons why you help people. One is because you fear God, and another reason is you respect others. Jesus sets up this parable by eliminating the two primary reasons to help her. That only leaves one reason left.
There are three reasons why you help people. One is because you fear God, and another reason is you respect others. Jesus sets up this parable by eliminating the two primary reasons to help her. That only leaves one reason left.
Luke 18:4-5 "For a while he was unwilling;
but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect
man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection,
otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'"
The reason the ungodly judge gave in to her was because she wouldn’t stop bringing her request to him! Do you understand what He’s trying to tell us? That’s the kind of persistence we should have when we bring our requests before God. Persistence is a necessary ingredient in faith and gives us the determination to keep praying until the answer comes.
The reason the ungodly judge gave in to her was because she wouldn’t stop bringing her request to him! Do you understand what He’s trying to tell us? That’s the kind of persistence we should have when we bring our requests before God. Persistence is a necessary ingredient in faith and gives us the determination to keep praying until the answer comes.
Don’t
give up praying for your loved ones or for something else that’s on your heart.
Jesus said that your prayers are making a difference in bringing it to pass.
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
(The
book includes a free 20-Lesson Discussion Guide for Small Group Studies)
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