Communauté et discipulat

Are You Growing as a Prayer Warrior? (Luke 18:1~8)

2017.02.19Stephen Cha

Jesus tells us we ought always to pray and not lose heart, because the God we pray to is a righteous judge who hears his people and is already at work for justice. Prayer must become a steady part of our lives so that our hearts keep burning and we live out God's justice and mercy.

Prayer must be a steady part of our lives (vv. 1)

Jesus says we ought always to pray so that we will not lose heart. Many of us struggle in prayer, and some have even stopped because they feel God is not answering. Jesus does not mean we should do nothing but pray. He means prayer must become a continuing part of our lives. Like learning a second language, prayer grows only when we keep speaking it, even when we feel awkward. Through daily time with God, our hearts are refreshed and strengthened from the inside out.

Jesus himself set aside extended time with the Father

Even the Son of God prayed. Jesus gave extended time to the Father, not a quick two-minute greeting, and there he listened for the words to speak. He did not act on his own plans but aligned his will with the Father's. When crowds pressed him to grow a ministry that was taking off, he said no because he had heard the Father's direction. For us too, prayer means slowing down, resting in God's love, and listening to what he whispers, not only bringing a list of requests.

God is a righteous judge, not a reluctant one (vv. 2-7)

The parable contrasts the wicked judge with our God. The judge feared neither God nor people, but God is the most righteous and just judge, who defends widows, the fatherless, foreigners, and the poor. So we do not pray to twist an unwilling arm. The Old Testament laws of gleaning, release, and jubilee show God's justice and compassion. In Jesus, who proclaimed the year of the Lord's favor, God has pressed the reset button for all people. We come to know his character, and he is already at work for his name and his reign.

Persevering prayer leads to faithful action (vv. 8)

Jesus asks whether he will find faith on earth when the Son of Man comes, which challenges us to persevere in prayer. Prayer strengthens and renews us to extend God's grace to others. The sermon told of a church in a dangerous neighborhood that began a week of prayer and grew into a school, a food pantry, a clinic, and a tutoring center. Prayer opens our eyes and widens our hearts so that we let go of idols and become people through whom the message of God's love reaches others.

Apply to Life

  • Let us set aside extended time with God each day and not give up when prayer feels difficult.
  • Let us slow down and rest in God's love, listening for what he whispers to us instead of only bringing requests.
  • Let us pray for the widows, the fatherless, the foreigners, and the poor, trusting God's justice and compassion.
  • Let us pray together as a church for our community and be willing to act on what God shows us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

← Retour à 영어 예배(English Service)