Wearing God out.
Mar 31, 2020 15:12:09 GMT -6
Post by Gene Whitehurst on Mar 31, 2020 15:12:09 GMT -6
Something that discourages us when we pray is that God does not always answer in the way that we wanted or as quickly as we wanted. Sometimes it seems that Jesus is asleep in the stern of the boat and the waves of problems are crashing all around us. We may feel like the disciples, “Lord, do you not care that we are perishing – we are going to drown.” When they confronted Jesus, then He calmed the storm. Wonderful ending to the story. We may have a brief smile when we hear this story, but our smile melts away when our thoughts return to our own heartaches.
We do grow weary when waiting for Him to act. Why do others seem to be gliding through life with little or no problems? And it seems as though they have limited Christian interests. But in my own life, the waves are crashing and God seems to be absent or maybe not interested.
Jesus told a parable…
“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “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.’ 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.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said…” (Luke 18:1-6)
This widow was no relative to this judge. She had no money to bribe him. She had no power over this judge. And he was totally disinterested in her well-being. One almost gets the idea from this short story that this widow was trying to confront him at every opportunity that she had. She would give him no relief. She was so dogged in her need that the judge thought that she would wear him out!
Jesus said, Hear what the unrighteous judge said…she would wear out the judge with her pursuit and request.
In this brief story, “God’s people are encouraged to give Him (God) no rest.” Keep on praying. Try to wear God out with your prayers. You have every right to be before His throne. (Heb 4:16)
So…
“Pray and do not lose heart.”
“Pray without ceasing.”
As with any topic (prayer, etc.), all of Scripture’s teachings of prayer should be considered. We need to pray according to God’s will. I suggest this: When you begin your day, tell God that you are not only willing to accept His will for your life, but that you WANT His will for you in every detail. And Dear God, guide my thoughts this day and answer all of my constant praying in agreement with your divine will. And Lord, Make my heart willing to know, to do, and to want Your will. So Lord, hear my prayers, and answer them according to Your will.
Keep your prayers short and often. Pray specifically for an issue. When Peter was sinking in the water, his brief prayer was, “Lord, save me.” And remember, as you utter your thoughts in prayer, He can interpret your thoughts and knows your heart. So do not struggle to say just the right thing or be theological in your prayer. Just pray. “Pray and not to lose heart.” And trust Him that the wishes of your heart go with the words that you say.
One more word: when we are in a distress, we often sense that our faith is too weak. Don’t despair and don’t quit. Keep on going to the throne of Grace and keep on praying. God is listening!
Try to wear God out with your prayers!
We do grow weary when waiting for Him to act. Why do others seem to be gliding through life with little or no problems? And it seems as though they have limited Christian interests. But in my own life, the waves are crashing and God seems to be absent or maybe not interested.
Jesus told a parable…
“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “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.’ 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.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said…” (Luke 18:1-6)
This widow was no relative to this judge. She had no money to bribe him. She had no power over this judge. And he was totally disinterested in her well-being. One almost gets the idea from this short story that this widow was trying to confront him at every opportunity that she had. She would give him no relief. She was so dogged in her need that the judge thought that she would wear him out!
Jesus said, Hear what the unrighteous judge said…she would wear out the judge with her pursuit and request.
In this brief story, “God’s people are encouraged to give Him (God) no rest.” Keep on praying. Try to wear God out with your prayers. You have every right to be before His throne. (Heb 4:16)
So…
“Pray and do not lose heart.”
“Pray without ceasing.”
As with any topic (prayer, etc.), all of Scripture’s teachings of prayer should be considered. We need to pray according to God’s will. I suggest this: When you begin your day, tell God that you are not only willing to accept His will for your life, but that you WANT His will for you in every detail. And Dear God, guide my thoughts this day and answer all of my constant praying in agreement with your divine will. And Lord, Make my heart willing to know, to do, and to want Your will. So Lord, hear my prayers, and answer them according to Your will.
Keep your prayers short and often. Pray specifically for an issue. When Peter was sinking in the water, his brief prayer was, “Lord, save me.” And remember, as you utter your thoughts in prayer, He can interpret your thoughts and knows your heart. So do not struggle to say just the right thing or be theological in your prayer. Just pray. “Pray and not to lose heart.” And trust Him that the wishes of your heart go with the words that you say.
One more word: when we are in a distress, we often sense that our faith is too weak. Don’t despair and don’t quit. Keep on going to the throne of Grace and keep on praying. God is listening!
Try to wear God out with your prayers!