“PRAYING AND NOT LOSING HEART”

Luke 18:1ff

The passage before us today is a great boost to prayer incentive. It is called “The Parable of the Unjust Judge.” I like to call it the story of a tenacious prayer warrior. It begins with a challenge to pray and to develop a prayer pattern - then a warning against losing heart.

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart!

Then He shares a parable about a judge who regarded neither God nor man. A certain widow in that city came to this judge, seeking legal protection from an opponent. The text says that for awhile this judge was unwilling to grant her request but finally, because of her dogged persistence, gave in to her request. The reluctance of the judge is not the issue here - rather the persistence of the widow is intended for us to see. The judge would not hear the case on its own merits, but because he did not want to be bothered any more, finally gave her what she asked of him.

The lesson is obvious and simple. What the unjust judge did grudgingly, how much more God, the just judge, will hear and answer the requests of His children. Not just any request is in view here. It is the cry of God’s people in testing (cf verse 7):

Now shall not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night. And will He delay long over them?

Let me ask you - are you being tested greatly in some area of your life? Have you prayed about it? Does heaven seem like brass? Do you wonder why there doesn’t seem to be an answer forthcoming? Have you prayed about it again and again and still no answer?

It is not that God is unconcerned about you or your request. He is testing your faith. He doesn’t always answer immediately. Sometimes for your best interests and in His good plan, He waits awhile. We grow stronger in tenacity.

Don’t give up, beloved. Hang in there. God will come through eventually and you will be all the stronger because of the waiting.

Pray without ceasing!

Love to you all.