This week we are going to take a look at one of Jesus’ instructions on how to pray. Let’s explore how to take on our giants!

 

 

• We should always pray and never give up!
• We don’t know the injustice the widow suffered in the story (V.3)
• She sought justice from the worldly king (V.4)
• She kept going to the king – she was persistent
• The king finally did something just to get rid of her (V.5)
• Jesus says that the Father will give justice to those “who cry out to Him day and night”. (V.7)

APPLICATION:

• We are to come to the Father with our requests
• Don’t give up!
• He is far more just than any earthly king
• Cry out to the Lord for justice – not vengeance!
• We have not because we ask not (James 4:2-3)

 

As I am writing this I am reminded of the scene from the movie Facing the Giants. There is this great scene where Grant Taylor, a Christian high-school football coach, is trying to motivate his team. In this particular scene Coach Taylor has one of his players, Brock, perform the “death crawl” in front of the other players. (The “death crawl” is where a bigger player carries another smaller player on his back while crawling on his hands and feet without touching his knees to the ground). Coach Taylor encourages him past the 20, the 30, and the 50 yard line blind folded. He is already farther than any other player has ever gone during the “death crawl”, but Coach Taylor keeps driving him further. He keeps yelling at him fervently, “Don’t quit!”, “Keep drivin’!”, “Keep goin’!”, “Don’t quit until you got nothin’ left!” And to the other player’s amazement Brock makes it all the way to the other end zone!

 

It is an incredible scene of fortitude and perseverance. I believe that this is what Jesus is talking about in this parable. “Don’t quit! I know it’s hard. I know it hurts. But don’t quit until you got nothin’ left!” You have pain in life, and there is injustice – don’t quit! You are worried about your adult children that have strayed – Keep praying! Keep bringing your requests to the King. Don’t give up!

 

At the end of the parable in Matthew 18 Jesus ends with this, “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?” It’s a rhetorical question. Of course the answer is no, He will not keep putting them off! It is against His very nature. He is a faithful and loving God, and He cares for His children deeply.

 

In Jim Cymbala’s book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire he shares about his own personal struggles. He is the pastor of a very large church called The Brooklyn Tabernacle. Perhaps you have heard of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. This church is well known, not only for its world renowned choir, but for its prayer ministry. Pastors from all over, come to witness these prayer meetings, and to learn how they can start one of their own in their churches. Pastor Cymbala shares in this book the personal grief and anguish of a run-away daughter. She has run away from their home and is somewhere on the streets of New York. She has left them frightened and worried. The whole church surrounds them with support and prayer. Months later, during one of their famous prayer meetings, to everyone’s astonishment, his daughter comes walking in the front door of their church! She cries out to her daddy and to the church – she is sorry! She wants to come home. Will he forgive her? And the church rejoices!

 

It is a story of perseverance, and of the power of prayer. I have witnessed this same power in my own prayer life, and in the lives of many others. Our God is a faithful God.

 

Warren Wiersbe in his book, The Bible Exposition Commentary says this, “If we don’t pray, we will faint; it’s as simple as that! The word faint describes a believer who loses heart and gets so discouraged that he or she wants to quit.” When we faint we lose all control. We go into a free fall and hit the nearest object on our way down. “If we don’t pray, we will faint.” If we don’t pray we lose all control. We begin to worry and the anxiety takes control. Our emotions go into a tail spin and we are down for the count.

 

Jesus has lovingly instructed us “Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep seeking the King’s face. Keep pursuing Him!” And when we do, He is able to do amazing things. Will you trust Him? Will you keep knocking until He answers?

 

Ask God to show you that He does truly care. Also, ask God to show you the injustice in other people’s lives. There are widows and orphans in our very own community who need mercy. How can you be an answer to prayer for them?

 

 

If we can pray for you or help you to grow in Christ, then please give us a call at (928)636-2949.