INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus had taught His Disciples about Prayer

a) Correcting wrong understanding and practices Matthew 5-6

b) Concrete example of how to practise prayer was demonstrated by the Lord

2. But the difficulties remain

a) Prayer was not easy to learn and to practise

b) Prayer as a personal discipline was difficult to cultivate

 

A PARABLE ON PRAYER

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily Luke 18:1-8

1. The Lessons intended

a) That men always ought to pray

b) And not lose heart

2. The characters in the Parable

a) An unjust judge

i) He did not fear God

ii) He regarded no one

b) A widow

i) She sought justice

ii) She petitioned the judge

iii) Her pleas were rejected

iv) But the widow persisted

3. The unfolding of the Parable

a) The widow kept making appeal after appeal

b) The judge kept rejecting the appeals

c) Finally, the judge decided that he would seek justice for her

d) He said

4And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Luke 18:4-5

 

WHAT WAS THE LORD JESUS TEACHING?

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

7And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Luke 18:8

1. His teaching about God

a) God is NOT like the unjust judge

b) He will uphold justice

2. God’s relationship with believers

a) They are “His own elect”

b) They are His people

c) They are His children

3. The cries of the Elect

a) They may seek the Lord

b) They may pray to Him

c) They must be assured that their prayers are not in vain

4. Common Problems

a) Many lose heart if their prayers are not swiftly answered

b) Many cease praying

c) Others give up their faith in God

d) Still others seek their own justice

 

AN EXAMPLE OF NOT LOSING HEART

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan

to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast

in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then

I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

1. Praying amidst great distress

2. Pleading with God to be freed from the thorn in the flesh

3. The Promise of God’s all-sufficient grace

4. The Power of the Lord Jesus Christ

 

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To persevere in prayer

2. To progress in our understanding and practice of prayer

3. To become truly more prayerful