ListenDaily – 15 June 2010: Don't stop...
HWJHUP? How Would Jesus Have Us Pray?
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8
There is much to this parable, but for the purpose of this discussion I would like to focus on the purpose of the parable: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
"...always pray..."
Hmmm...what did Jesus mean by "always pray? Maybe it's along the lines of Paul's "pray without ceasing", and it certainly applies. I think the "pray without ceasing" idea has to do with a constant awareness of God's presence, as many of you have heard me say. But looking at the context of this parable, I also think there is a teaching here that the answer to everything comes through prayer. It may be that you get a response in prayer, or that praying prepares you for a situation, but "...always pray..." and therefore, always hear.
"...and not give up." Not give up? Not give what up?
Are you being oppressed? Pray and do not give up. God may change the situation; but you will definitely become aware of His presence and His help through your constant prayer.
Do you have a loved one who is not saved? Pray and do not give up. The decision is ultimately theirs to make, but constant prayer will bring you to the place to know what to say, or other people to direct into their lives. My Grandmother spent decades praying for her husband, and he accepted Christ just days before his death.
These are just a couple of examples, the real-life instances for which we need to pray and do not give up are innumerable. The message is just SO vital. We need to pray, pray, pray -- plead to God, cry out to Him, laugh with Him, listen to Him.
We need to "always pray...and not give up."
Questions:
1. How do you feel about 'always praying'?
2. Is there a situation or person for which you have given up praying?
3. Are you ready to start again?
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May we keep listening. Jim.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards.
Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him."
"I have seen many men work without praying,
though I have never seen any good come out of it;
but I have never seen a man pray without working."
Hudson Taylor
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