August 13, 2015

“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” Luke 18:1-5

“Some of the parables of Jesus Christ are difficult to fully understand or perfectly apply. However the parable of “the unjust judge” is interpreted and applied for us, by the Holy Spirit himself. The point of the parable, Luke tells us in his divinely inspired narrative, is to teach us to never quit praying. The parable involves a widow who has been wronged. Although the judge she appeals to is corrupt, uncaring, and godless, he eventually hears the widow’s case — not because he changes his mind or character, but because she is so persistent with her request.

Jesus then instructs, “Hear what the unjust judge says” (18:6). If even a wicked, unfair judge would hear a case simply because of the perpetual applications of a citizen, then how much more will the loving God of heaven, who delights to care for the needs of his children, hear and answer prayers? He may delay, for his own good purposes, but he will certainly be sensitive to their cries. There are many temptations to faint in our prayers to God — our own sense of unworthiness, no apparent or immediate answer, the temptation to take matters into our own hands. But Jesus says always, always pray. Do not faint. You are being heard by your just and caring and tender Father, even as you speak.” (bbh devotions, July 2015)

Never quit praying. These are words you should never forget — never quit praying. When you are in the shower, pray to G*d — when you are driving your car, turn off the radio and pray to G*d — when you are going to sleep, pray to G*d — when you are feeling down, defeated, or discouraged, pray to G*d. G*d hears every prayer. It is not necessary to be in church to pray — you can pray anywhere, any time, in multiple ways. Pray like your life depends upon it, because your life does depend on it. Prayer is the one time G*d knows G*d might possibly have your attention. And when you are done with the words, spend time listening — listen for the still, small voice of G*d to respond. Never quit praying.

Pastor Dave