“1. AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6. And the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge saith. 7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8. I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on earth? “
Are you a persistent hunter? Do you go to the woods once or twice, but then stop hunting if you don’t see or hear anything? Consistency is important in many areas of our lives, and for the hunter, it’s the only way to find success year after year. Have you ever shot a deer late season? There are many hunters that quit too soon because they don’t find the success on their timeline. If you are a true hunter, don’t be that guy! There have been years where I have not successfully filled a tag. Though it may become frustrating, it did not lead me to quit. There are many things to learn along the way as a hunter. It’s those unsuccessful years that may lead someone to stop and examine what could be done differently. Today, there are many things I do differently than I did as an 18-year-old. It’s taken time and persistence to learn more about whitetails and understand how to kill the bigger ones. There are still many more years of learning and persistence! Don’t quit!
In this context of Scripture Jesus is setting forth a parable of how we ought to pray! “…that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Notice how He ends the parable, “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on earth?” Faith is always the key element in having our prayers answered, “And all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22) Many times, our prayer life is like that hunter that couldn’t find success. He gets frustrated because his buddy is always killing a nice deer. He can’t understand why things won’t fall his direction, so he quits and has a bitterness toward the hunt for the rest of his life!
We have this mindset in prayer sometimes that we should be able to pray anything down from heaven that crosses our minds. Do you know why that guy can’t kill a deer? He can’t understand food sources, bedding areas, and being quiet while in the woods. He walks all over his hunting ground every day and the wind direction is the last thought that crosses his mind. No wonder he can’t kill anything! No wonder God doesn’t answer our prayers! What does your prayer life revolve around today? Does it concern the things of eternity? Lost souls? More churches? More wisdom? A godly family? Needs vs wants? It’s the dry seasons of life that teach us the right things to pray for.
There are many things to discuss when it concerns prayer, but the focus of this parable is consistency and faith! Jesus Christ is making a comparison to a widow woman who is in need of deliverance. The unjust judge gets wearied with the widow as she continually comes to him, so he avenges her for her consistency. God is not sinful, He is so far above this unjust judge. What makes you think God doesn’t hear you? Has He told you to stop praying about something? Why quit then? In Matthew 7 Jesus makes a comparison of a son that comes to his father asking for a fish to eat. He says what kind of man would give his son a serpent upon that request. No good father would do that! He was saying, do you understand that concept? Do you understand that a good father, who is a sinner, takes good care of his children; then he responds with this in verse 11, “…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” God hears your prayers today friend! He wants the best for you! You have to come to this conclusion, “I believe the Word of God is true” or “I don’t believe it’s true”. There may be some adjustments needed along the way of prayer, but please don’t quit! Stay persistent! “…that men ought always to pray and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1) “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, Shall he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8)
Memory Verse
Luke 18:1
“AND he spake this parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
