A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (November 30, 2015)
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
There was a judge in a city that did not fear God or regard man. In other words, he was an atheist that trusted only in himself. A widow woman in that city came to the judge and asked the judge to avenge her of her adversary. The judge at first would not respond to the widow’s requests, but after repeated requests by the widow the judge responded as follows:
Yet because this widow troubleth me (keeps pestering me, is driving me crazy) I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (Luke 18:5)
This parable is about perseverance in prayer. It is about hanging in there. It is about faith. Listen to what Jesus said about it.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:6-8)
If an unjust atheist judge is willing to avenge a widow on the strength of continuing and repeated requests, how much more is your Father in Heaven willing to respond to the prayers from His elect! This parable and the parable after this one (the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying) deal with people (even religious people) that trust in themselves versus trusting in God. We are talking about arrogance and pride. Prayer, in it’s purist form, is humbling yourself and putting all your trust in God, not in yourself. It is saying, I can not do this alone Lord! I need your help!
It is about putting on the whole armour of God! It is about praying without ceasing! It is about faith!
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:13-18)
We encourage you today to never give up! Be steadfast and immovable in your prayers! Continue to pray for and believe for the things the Word of God has promised for you and your family!
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
