Gospel Reading Luke 18:1-8

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 

2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.

3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4“For some time he refused 4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men,

5 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! ”

6 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 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?”

Pestering God Luke 18:1-8

Is Jesus really suggesting that we Pester God ?

Yep!

Why? So that it is clear how badly we want it Not to God, to us! If you quit with only one request we didn’t want it very badly It helps to clarify what we really need and why Again for us!

Questions to ask yourself BEFORE pestering God What do you really want? Often it is a result, not the thing we are asking for Do you really want what you are pestering God for? What are the consequences if you get it?

What if God doesn’t Answer? God always answers It just may not be the answer you want! No answer is an answer! Timing Harmful to you or someone else

What if God doesn’t Answer? You may be praying for the wrong thing Talk with others about what you are praying Ask God to show you what you should be praying for Look for the alternatives that God might be offering? That may give you the same result You have got to know what you are looking for!

Just Remember God gets to choose

What would you do if your child begged for something that you know would be harmful to them or someone else? Implied in the story of the “stone for bread and snake for fish” (Matthew 7:7-12) is that if the child asks for something harmful it will not be granted

If it seems God is not answering your prayer it is NOT because you are not Praying Right!

God listens to and responds to ALL prayers!

How to Pray Pray intimately Pray as if you believe God is capable of answering your prayers Pray for what you need or for what you think others need

How to Pray Pray often Pray persistently Listen to what you are praying for Pray in earnest Let God answer Listen Hear what God says . . . Not what you want to hear!

How to Pray Trust God to not allow you to inadvertently harm yourself or others with your prayer Let God fill you with God’s breath Holy Spirit – Breath of God

Prayer is like breathing, You don’t stop until you die! Do it constantly or you will Die!

When you pray . . .

God Does not think you are a PEST!

God wants us to talk to Him ALL the TIME!

Jesus Did!

What is this passage really about?

Prayer

What Jesus tells us to do? (The Lord’s Prayer) Address God intimately not casually not disrespectfully Acknowledge God’s Holiness. . . His specialness . . . His ability to answer and grant There is no sense asking if we don’t think God can grant it Ask that God’s rule be established here on earth Basileia ( (Basileia) Reign or Rule, Authority If God does not have the authority God can do nothing

What Jesus tells us to do? Ask for the things we need That which will sustain us Forgiveness from those things we have done to separate us from God and others Freedom from the need for revenge or the need to collect on what is owed us Not allowing things to come between us and others (Great Commandment)

What Jesus tells us to do? Ask for the things we need Protection from temptation Not the strength to resist it! It is Arrogance to think we can resist temptation!

According to the parable, How often? According to the parable, Be a Pest!

Why? So that it is clear how badly we want it Not to God, to us! If you quit with only one request we didn’t want it very badly It helps to clarify what we really need and why Again for us!

Questions to ask yourself BEFORE pester God Do you really want what you are pestering God for? What are the consequences if you get it? What do you really want? Often it is a result not the thing we are asking for What are the alternatives that God might be offering? That may give you the same result

How often? Communication is key in any relationship The more communication the more intimate the relationship is assumed to be The more communication the greater the chance for understanding on both sides It cannot be by rote

Faith! Believe that God can and will answer prayer If we can do it God can do it! If we will give our children what is right for them, you can bet God will! We need for them to ask so that we know what they want as well as what they need

God gets to choose What would you do if your child begged for something that you know would be harmful to them or someone else? Implied in the story of the “stone for bread and snake for fish” (Matthew 7:7-12) is that if the child asks for something harmful it will not be granted

God is Gracious and Generous Just as we give to our children without them deserving what they are given, God does the same with us God gives to us because we are God’s children not because of what we deserve God gives us what we need . . . if we ask for it God does not force anything on us!

Pray in Earnest (Matthew 7:7) Ask – Aiteiote (aietite) - beg you don’t ask frivolously Seek – Zeeteite (zeeteite) to crave, to require, to demand You don’t look for what you don’t want badly Knock - Krouete (kroúete) to rap, to pound You want it bad enough to make sure you are heard and answered

Holy Spirit In the end what God gives us is the very essence of God Pneuma Hagion -The Breath of God What we need is for God to be a part of us God offers it to us but we must accept the gift

How to Pray Pray intimately Pray as if you believe God is capable of answering your prayers Pray for what you need or for what you think others need

How to Pray Pray often Pray persistently Listen to what you are praying for Pray in earnest Let God answer Listen Hear what God says . . . Not what you want to hear!

How to Pray Trust God to not allow you to inadvertently harm yourself or others with your prayer Let God fill you with God’s breath

Some things to remember God wants us to be in relationship with Him! You can’t have a relationship if you don’t communicate! God will give us what we need! Trust God not to allow us or others to be hurt by our prayers!

Prayer is like breathing, if you don’t do it regularly you will Die!