Pray Always and Don’t Lose Heart

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Scripture:


Luke 18:1   Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’”a  6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”


Observation:


Throughout this gospel we recognize that Jesus was mentoring his disciples. At this point, they must have been tired and feeling defeated. There would already have been those attacking them and their ministry. It would have been easy to lose heart and become frustrated and so this becomes a piece of pastoral guidance. Neale tells us, “The challenges of life as a church in a hostile world is their daily reality. This appears to be the situational lens through which we should understand the Christian community Luke addresses” (NBBC).


He goes on to tell us: 


This creates a theological frame of reference in which human prayer and actions matter to God. The result of human activity is not predetermined. An ardent and holy heart can move God to action. In today’s world of widespread suffering, questions naturally arise as to the efficacy of prayer. Why should we pray? Does it really make a difference? The Gospel of Luke encourages us to see ourselves as significant actors, agents of free will who can help shape the course of events through holy intervention in prayer. Luke’s is a relational theology, which highlights the dynamism between God and believers. (Neale, NBBC)


Application:


Did you catch that — “human prayer and actions matter to God.” This parable is about you and me, and how we will continue to press on throughout life. There will always be times of disappointment and difficulties. We will feel like we are losing heart, but it is in those moments that we are to persevere in prayer and action. Prayer is the lifeblood of the disciple, both in the past and today. 


There is nothing that we can do for the sake of the kingdom if it is not bathed in prayer, and when it feels like the prayers aren’t being answered, continue to storm the gates of heaven. Gather friends and family around you to join you in those prayers. Do not give up, and do not lose heart. 


Pray always, for this is as necessary for a disciple as as the air we breathe.  


Prayer:


Lord, please help me to be in a continual posture of prayer in my life, trusting in you for all things. Amen.  

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