6/5/16-Luke 18:1-8-“Take It to God (Pray Without Ceasing)”
Our life of faith is like a race, and God’s desire for us as Christians is to run this race faithfully. One way we persist in the race in the face of life’s hardships is through prayer.
Remember: Prayer is how our redeemed souls are fed spiritually, and it is a constant nourishment. Prayer is how God shapes us like Christ, to live everyday with his Kingdom in our minds.
The reason we are to persist is because God desires us to experience Him, His faithfulness, love, and absolute goodness. It is not because we pray that causes God to be good, rather it is because God is good that we pray. It is because God is good that the offer of eternal life is before us to experience.
God wants us to grow in grace and loving, becoming more like Jesus, and prayer is one way of how we grow. Just as a parent, while treasuring their child when they are a baby, also wants them to grow up and be mature. So it is with God, who wants us to grow in our faith and understanding of Him.
With that, we turn to the story. We have one corrupt judge, and one persistent and faithful widow. One who has all the power and one who is powerless. This judge, who should have shown the most compassion, didn’t care about God or about people. The widow’s odds are slim, but what other choice does she have, and so she goes to plead her case.
And she keeps pleading…and pleading…and finally this judge (no doubt fed up!), finally gave in and gave her the well-deserved justice.
Just like last week, Jesus is not saying that God is like this corrupt judge, only answering our prayers when we nag Him (He is much more good than that!) Rather, it is a contrast. If this evil judge who did not respect widows or orphans finally did give justice, how much more will God, the great defender of widows and orphans is wanting to give justice to all who are oppressed. It is because God is faithful that we persist in prayer.
Often we struggle with endurance. We want to throw up our hands after only a week praying for someone or for a situation and we quit thinking God does not hear us or does not want to answer our prayer. Yet, God desires that we endure in our prayers for others, not only for their sake, but for ours, because the more we have that time spent with our hearts lifted to God, the more He takes our hearts and fills them with faith, hope, and love.
Remember: When we pray God changes the situation or He changes us, and often it is both.
Look once more at Jesus’ words, “how much more will God bring about justice”. Persistence in prayer does not mean we keep asking for that million dollars or that great new car we desire.
It is saying, “pray for someone the way Jesus would pray for them.” A simple prayer goes something like this, “Dear Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours”. Look to Jesus and use His prayer as yours: “…God, Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
The justice mentioned in this parable is the justice God is eager to grant. It is the justice of His Kingdom, “on earth as it is in heaven”. This is the purpose of us here as a church: to pray this Kingdom of God into our lives then go live that kingdom to impact the lives of others.
Now, I will level with you. You may be thinking, “what about some of the prayers I have prayed that were not answered in the way that I prayed them?” I have struggled with this myself, but let me encourage us when I draw your attention back to last week’s lesson.
Remember: Out Father does not give us stones when we ask for bread, so whatever answer He ever gives you in answer to prayer, trust Him, even when it seems like His answer is, “Keep coming to Me with this request”. Pray without ceasing
This parable has two points to remember: One is a truth, the other a challenge
Truth: God is the perfect judge eager to do justice in the world
Challenge: Will God find us faithful in our praying to Him? Let your entire life be a prayer so that all will know you have Jesus in your hearts.
Listen to this to hear more!