Prayer: Never Give Up Luke 18:1-8 Giving up is the easiest thing to do, but generally not the right thing to do. Hence, our next parable, 1. Never Give up Praying Luke 18:1 Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” “…we should always pray,” or “… we must always pray…” cf. I Thess. 5:17 “Pray continually.”

Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” “We can do more than pray, but we cannot do more than pray until we’ve prayed.” Anonymous

Prayer is what we are commanded to do as God’s will. It is the only sure basis of perseverance. The antidote to despair is not determination but prayer. Jesus called us not to say prayers, but to pray continually. God gives us the most potent resource known to the human spirit, that is to always pray, and not give up praying. To stop praying is to start growing weary. To encourage us not to give up praying Jesus tells a rather startling parable.

2. Never Give up Praying Because Justice is on the Way Luke 18:2-5 The Judge The Widow 3. What then does the Lord want us to understand? Luke 18:6-8 “And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 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? 8 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?”

a. We need to understand God is not like the unjust judge cf. Luke 11:11-13 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” God always gives His best; Himself through the Holy Spirit. We need to understand our situation is much better than the widow c. As His chosen ones we need to cry out day and night and He will not put us off Luke 18:7b

Why no seeming quick answers to some of our cries in prayer? Luke 18:8 II Peter 3:8,9 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Keep on praying! Never give up! Pray until: God gives the answer. God changes the circumstances God removes the burden altogether. God is glorified when we do not give up. Not all of our prayers have been answered – yet!!