Persistent Prayer: Trusting God's Timing and Care
Summary
In our gathering tonight, we delved into the parable of the persistent widow from Luke 18, a story that Jesus used to teach us about the importance of persistent prayer. This parable, often referred to as the parable of the unjust judge, highlights the contrast between an unjust earthly judge and our just and loving God. The widow, despite her powerless position, persistently approached the judge to seek justice. Her relentless pursuit eventually led the judge to grant her request, not out of compassion, but to avoid being worn out by her persistence. Jesus uses this story to encourage us to pray with the same persistence, but with the assurance that our God is not like the unjust judge. He is a loving Father who cares deeply for us and is always just in His dealings.
The parable underscores the challenge of delay in our prayer lives. We often grow discouraged when answers to our prayers are delayed, leading us to question whether God hears us or cares about our needs. However, Jesus reminds us that God's delays are not denials. They are opportunities for us to trust in His perfect timing and character. Throughout history, God's people have waited for His promises to be fulfilled, and He has always come through at the right time. This teaches us to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that God knows what is best for us and will act in His perfect timing.
Furthermore, the parable challenges us to examine our faith. When Jesus returns, will He find us faithful and persistent in prayer, or will we have allowed delay to dampen our faith? We are encouraged to remember God's character and care for us, knowing that He is always just and that His love for us is unwavering. Our relationship with God is not like the widow's with the judge; we have unlimited access to Him, an advocate in Jesus Christ, and the assurance that He will do right by us.
In conclusion, we are called to pray like God cares, to persist in prayer without losing heart, and to trust in His character and care. Let us be encouraged to keep praying, believing, and hoping, knowing that our God is faithful and just.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistence in Prayer: The parable of the persistent widow teaches us the importance of relentless prayer. Unlike the unjust judge, God is just and loving, and He desires to hear from us. Our persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down but about demonstrating our faith and trust in His timing and wisdom. [50:47]
- God's Delays Are Not Denials: Delays in answered prayers can be discouraging, but they are not necessarily God's denials. They are opportunities for us to grow in faith, trust in God's perfect timing, and learn to seek His presence rather than just His hand. [56:43]
- Trusting God's Character: We are reminded to trust in God's character, knowing that He is always just and fair. Even when His answers are delayed or different from what we expect, we can be assured that He is working for our good and His glory. [54:06]
- God's Care for Us: Unlike the widow, we have unlimited access to God, an advocate in Jesus, and the assurance of His love and care. We are not powerless; we are His children, and He desires to do right by us. [59:58]
- Faith in the Face of Delay: Jesus challenges us to maintain our faith even when answers are delayed. Will we be found faithful and persistent in prayer when He returns, or will we allow delay to dampen our motivation to pray? [52:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:56] - Introduction to the Parable
- [35:43] - The Persistent Widow
- [36:39] - Understanding the Parable
- [37:30] - Discouragement in Prayer
- [38:19] - Misplaced Priorities
- [39:24] - The Frustration of Delay
- [41:30] - The Longest Delay
- [42:27] - The Days of Noah
- [44:12] - Waiting for God's Promises
- [45:33] - The Call to Persistent Prayer
- [46:14] - The Unjust Judge
- [48:25] - The Widow's Persistence
- [50:47] - God's Justice and Our Prayers
- [52:31] - Faith in the Face of Delay
- [54:06] - Trusting God's Character
- [56:43] - God's Timing is Perfect
- [59:58] - God's Care for Us
- [01:02:26] - Will We Keep Praying?
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Bible Reading:
- Luke 18:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What is the main reason Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow according to Luke 18:1? How does this relate to the theme of prayer? [36:39]
2. Describe the characteristics of the judge in the parable. How does Jesus contrast this judge with God? [46:14]
3. How does the widow in the parable demonstrate persistence, and what is the outcome of her persistence? [49:26]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable illustrate the concept that "God's delays are not denials"? What might be the purpose of these delays in our prayer lives? [55:25]
2. In what ways does the parable challenge believers to examine their faith, especially in the context of waiting for God's promises? [52:31]
3. How does understanding God's character and care for us influence our approach to prayer, especially during times of delay? [54:06]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged by a delay in answered prayer. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of this parable? [39:24]
2. The widow's persistence eventually led to justice. How can you cultivate a similar persistence in your prayer life, especially when facing challenges or delays? [48:25]
3. Jesus asks if He will find faith on the earth when He returns. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith remains strong and active, even when prayers seem unanswered? [52:31]
4. Consider the contrast between the unjust judge and our just God. How does this understanding affect your trust in God's timing and decisions? [50:47]
5. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust God's character and care more deeply. What practical steps can you take this week to reinforce that trust? [58:53]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and justice during times of waiting? Are there specific scriptures or practices that help you stay focused on His promises? [56:43]
7. Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with unanswered prayers. How can you support and encourage them to remain persistent in their faith and prayer life? [01:03:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's timing and wisdom. The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 illustrates the importance of relentless prayer. Unlike the unjust judge, God is just and loving, and He desires to hear from us. Our persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down but about demonstrating our faith and trust in His timing and wisdom. This parable encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is attentive to our needs and will respond in His perfect timing. [50:47]
"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” (Luke 18:1-5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persist in prayer, trusting that God hears you and will respond in His perfect timing?
Day 2: Embracing God's Timing
God's delays in answering prayers are not denials but opportunities for growth in faith and trust. Delays in answered prayers can be discouraging, but they are not necessarily God's denials. They are opportunities for us to grow in faith, trust in God's perfect timing, and learn to seek His presence rather than just His hand. Throughout history, God's people have waited for His promises to be fulfilled, and He has always come through at the right time. This teaches us to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that God knows what is best for us and will act in His perfect timing. [56:43]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a prayer that seems unanswered. How can you shift your focus from the delay to trusting in God's perfect timing and presence today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Unchanging Character
Even when answers are delayed or different from what we expect, we can trust in God's just and fair character. We are reminded to trust in God's character, knowing that He is always just and fair. Even when His answers are delayed or different from what we expect, we can be assured that He is working for our good and His glory. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. By trusting in His character, we can find peace and assurance in the midst of uncertainty. [54:06]
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's unchanging character when faced with uncertainty or unexpected outcomes in your life?
Day 4: Recognizing God's Care and Our Access to Him
Unlike the widow, we have unlimited access to God, an advocate in Jesus, and the assurance of His love and care. We are not powerless; we are His children, and He desires to do right by us. This relationship with God is not like the widow's with the judge; we have unlimited access to Him, an advocate in Jesus Christ, and the assurance that He will do right by us. This understanding should encourage us to approach God with confidence and boldness, knowing that He cares deeply for us and is always just in His dealings. [59:58]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach God with confidence today, knowing that you have unlimited access to Him and that He cares deeply for you?
Day 5: Faithfulness in the Face of Delay
Jesus challenges us to maintain our faith even when answers are delayed. Will we be found faithful and persistent in prayer when He returns, or will we allow delay to dampen our motivation to pray? This challenge calls us to examine our faith and commitment to prayer. It encourages us to remain steadfast and faithful, trusting in God's character and promises, even when we face delays or challenges. By doing so, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and our commitment to His purposes. [52:31]
"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains." (James 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your faith remains strong and persistent in prayer, even when faced with delays or challenges?
Quotes
1. "On Sunday nights, we're in a series called Fuel for the Fire, Biblical Motivations for a Praying Life. And tonight we're going to get biblical motivation from the master teacher himself, the Lord Jesus. We're going to study another one of his prayer parables. It has been called the parable of the unjust judge. I prefer calling it the parable of the persistent widow. You'll see why here in just a moment. So look at Luke chapter 18 and verse one, if you will." ([00:34:56] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Now, some parables require some effort to discover the interpretation of the parable. You may have to study the surrounding context. Maybe do a word study on one of the key words. Perhaps dig into the historical background to make sense of the story that Jesus was telling. And they made perfect sense to the people who were hearing them. But sometimes here we are 2000 years later, and we can't get the big idea of what Jesus is trying to communicate." ([00:36:39] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Jesus told this story because he wants us to continue praying and not to faint in our prayers. The word faint does not mean to pass out. We're not talking about what some of you guys do in the middle of my messages. It means to grow discouraged spiritually. It means to quit. Jesus is saying we should not allow discouragement to cause us to quit praying." ([00:37:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Now, why would we become discouraged in our prayer lives? What could discourage us that would cause us not to pray? I think there are many things. Unconfessed sin is certainly one. It's hard to pray. It's hard to pray. It's hard to pray. It's hard to pray. We pray with consistency when every time you pray, your conscience is screaming about some unconfessed sin in your life." ([00:37:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "The thought that we will have to weigh a long time to get that for which we pray. And because we ask and ask and ask and ask and ask and do not receive, we grow discouraged and we give up. Who likes a good delay? You know, when I get on I -35, I get on 35 to go 70. I do not get on 35 to sit in bumper to bumper traffic. Traffic discourages me. It makes me want to give up on the Metroplex." ([00:39:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "But sometimes we'll pray for weeks and months and decades and not get the thing for which we sought the Lord. I wonder tonight, how many of you have ever prayed for something for a long time and God did not answer your prayer the way you wanted him to answer it? And how many of you during that long season of delay were tempted to be discouraged and to stop praying about it, maybe even to stop praying altogether? That is a real temptation when it comes to prayer. Delay is discouraging." ([00:40:45] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "And the apostles believed that he would come during their lives. And they lived that way. They prayed for him to come in their lifetime. In fact, the very last prayer in the Bible is a prayer that God would come and judge the world. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Now, maybe you have waited years for an answer. Maybe you have waited years for an answer to your prayer. Maybe you have even waited decades for an answer to your prayer." ([00:44:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "If an unjust judge will give justice to a powerless widow because of her persistence in asking, how much more will a just God give justice to his people when they do not give up? And he says, if an unjust judge will give justice to a powerless widow because of her persistence in asking, how much more will a just God give justice to his people when they do not give up? And now, he asks two questions to reinforce that principle." ([00:51:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "We should keep asking because we trust God's character. And even if he says no or wait, because he is just and right to do it, he's doing right by me and I can trust in his character. So if delay is discouraging you, remember God is always just, always." ([00:58:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Prayer is not laying hold on God's reluctance. We do not have to persuade God to do right by us. Prayer is laying hold of God's willingness. He wants to do right by us. And if we come all the way into the Holy of Holies by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, through the advocacy of the son of God, into the presence of the person in this universe who loved us the most and has proved it time and time again. And in spite of all of that, he still says no or wait." ([01:01:04] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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