You Ought to Pray
Jun 14, 2024 8:46:40 GMT -6
Post by Gene Whitehurst on Jun 14, 2024 8:46:40 GMT -6
Read…Luke 18:1-6 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
Jesus tells this story about a widow and a judge. This judge did not care anything about God or about man. He did not fear God. He did not respect people. He did not care what people thought of him. And this widow needed the judge’s help. She needed some protection. Not caring about her, he probably frowned upon her and took no notice of her issue. He kept turning her away. But she kept coming back. She was persistent with her pressing need. She was tenacious. Though helpless and vulnerable, she kept on and would not stop. She knew that this judge could help her and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She did not give up!
She got justice done her by continual persistence. Perhaps she begged it at his door, followed him in the streets, solicited him in open court, and still her cry was, ‘Avenge me of mine adversary’, which he was forced to do, to get rid of her. The judge finally submits to her determination and her request. Ignoring her did not work. She was wearing him out and wearing him down.
At this point (vs. 6), I think that Jesus leaned into the face of His listeners and said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said” Learn a lesson from an unbelieving, proud judge? And you, reader, should do the same!
God is not like this unrighteous judge. Why does Jesus so challenge us? Why does God want us to labor and ‘wear Him out’ with our asking? The text above does not give answers as to why things work this way. God has made praying our duty! (Luke 18:1) And what we do see is that God wants you to keep on praying, to keep on being persistent in prayers to Him with your heart’s request. As the widow, keep on pressing on and wear Him out with your prayers.
Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I’m asking again for what I’ve requested dozens of times before. I don’t understand what seems to be a deaf ear, but I am coming in faith and at your command. Until you make it clear that I should no longer ask, you can expect me to keep coming to you. You can expect me to be before your throne every day and I’m going to ask. I’m encouraged by this story that you want me to come to you. If there are impurities in my life that are preventing your favorable answer, please show me. I’m going to be tenacious. I will NOT lose heart. By this teaching of Jesus, I am going to wear You out! I will persist in praying for that which You have laid on my heart. Teach us to pray…
Gene Whitehurst
Jesus tells this story about a widow and a judge. This judge did not care anything about God or about man. He did not fear God. He did not respect people. He did not care what people thought of him. And this widow needed the judge’s help. She needed some protection. Not caring about her, he probably frowned upon her and took no notice of her issue. He kept turning her away. But she kept coming back. She was persistent with her pressing need. She was tenacious. Though helpless and vulnerable, she kept on and would not stop. She knew that this judge could help her and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She did not give up!
She got justice done her by continual persistence. Perhaps she begged it at his door, followed him in the streets, solicited him in open court, and still her cry was, ‘Avenge me of mine adversary’, which he was forced to do, to get rid of her. The judge finally submits to her determination and her request. Ignoring her did not work. She was wearing him out and wearing him down.
At this point (vs. 6), I think that Jesus leaned into the face of His listeners and said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said” Learn a lesson from an unbelieving, proud judge? And you, reader, should do the same!
God is not like this unrighteous judge. Why does Jesus so challenge us? Why does God want us to labor and ‘wear Him out’ with our asking? The text above does not give answers as to why things work this way. God has made praying our duty! (Luke 18:1) And what we do see is that God wants you to keep on praying, to keep on being persistent in prayers to Him with your heart’s request. As the widow, keep on pressing on and wear Him out with your prayers.
Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I’m asking again for what I’ve requested dozens of times before. I don’t understand what seems to be a deaf ear, but I am coming in faith and at your command. Until you make it clear that I should no longer ask, you can expect me to keep coming to you. You can expect me to be before your throne every day and I’m going to ask. I’m encouraged by this story that you want me to come to you. If there are impurities in my life that are preventing your favorable answer, please show me. I’m going to be tenacious. I will NOT lose heart. By this teaching of Jesus, I am going to wear You out! I will persist in praying for that which You have laid on my heart. Teach us to pray…
Gene Whitehurst