Luke 18—The Importance of Perseverance in Prayer
Introduction
– When it
comes to the study of prayer in the Word and the practice of prayer in life,
there are many aspects of prayer to consider. One aspect of prayer that is
particularly difficult in our culture, possibly because of our affluence and
lack of material want, is the importance of importunity, or perseverance, in
prayer.
The parable of the
importunate widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) –This is a parable given to us that we may know or
learn fervency in prayer.. It
presupposes that all saints thank and petition God with some regularity and
beseech him with arrows darting up to heaven as the occasional circumstances of
life may dictate.
It is a blessing and
privilege that we may pray to
the Lord of Lords and King of Kings (vs. 1) –Luke instructs us that we always ought to pray.. It is a work
to be sure, as Paul comments on Epaphras (
It is work that we should do
with regularity -- This is the foundation of the whole
parable. Daniel prayed three times a day. David prayed early in the morning and
at night
Prayer must be persistent (Matt 7:7-12)--We must continue and not faint, for we do not seek God's face in vain
He neither feared God nor regarded man –(Luke 18:2) –Where there is no fear of God and His
law, there is no thought given to right or wrong. Wickedness in the place of
judgment was one of the sorest evils Solomon saw under the sun (Ecc.
The widow began to seek
justice daily, continually (vs.
3-5) –Get justice for me, justice from my adversary. God gives explicit instructions to not do violence
to the widow (Jer. 21:3), to judge the
fatherless, and plead for the widow (Is.
How does this apply to us?
Why does Jesus tell this parable? (vs 6-7)—This
parable is for the encouragement of God's praying people, that they may pray
with faith and fervency (Rom
We ought to be particular
and specific in our prayers
(II Cor 12:7-9a)—Remember
how Paul asked God to relieve him of his affliction. Concerning
this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
We should ask again and even again. Compare
and Contrast:
·
This widow, was a stranger--God's
people are his own, his elect.
·
She was alone--The praying people of God are many and are part of the Body of Christ.
We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ his own Son.
·
She came to an unjust judge—We come to a Father
that commands us to boldly approach
the throne of grace and to cry, “Abba, Father”. (Ex 32:12)—Moses pleads with The Lord. This is truly one of the most
remarkable and most bold intercessory prayers in all of scripture. Joshua at Ai
(Josh 7:9)
·
She had limited access to the judge—We may cry to
God day and night, at any and all hours.
·
Her shamelessness (importunity) provoked the
judge to action—Our praying is pleasing to God. The asking, seeking, and
knocking of the elect is welcomed and not provocative to God.
·
She had no encouragement given to her to
ask even one time--We are to approach our Father boldly (Jn
If He delays, it is for our
own good and His glory.
(Matt 15: 21-28) Christ is silent that
she might be strengthened, that she might draw nearer to Him and to improve or
prove her faith..
And what of the delay in
answers to our prayers? (vs. 8)— He wants the blessing to be rich,
full, and sure.
Martin Shaw—