Praying can be a very demanding task. While bringing our requests before God, there are times when an answer does not readily come. What happens after a period of time when there is no response from God? Here are some possible thoughts that can come to one's mind:
1. I'm not worthy to have my request fulfilled.
2. God has other plans for me.
3. I don't appear to be serious about praying before God.
4. Maybe God has lost interest in what I have been requesting.
The list could continue as to why after a period of time, we would simply want to stop praying. However, Jesus did not want us to lose heart.
He presented a parable about a woman who comes before a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. She pleads for justice and because of her persistence is granted her request. Here is the story:
Luke 18:1-10 "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’" NRSV
The story is to give us encouragement - even in cases where we are experiencing an injustice! We can pray to God for help!
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How do you see God as being different from the judge in this story?
How would this difference make a difference in your praying?
1. I'm not worthy to have my request fulfilled.
2. God has other plans for me.
3. I don't appear to be serious about praying before God.
4. Maybe God has lost interest in what I have been requesting.
The list could continue as to why after a period of time, we would simply want to stop praying. However, Jesus did not want us to lose heart.
He presented a parable about a woman who comes before a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. She pleads for justice and because of her persistence is granted her request. Here is the story:
Luke 18:1-10 "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’" NRSV
The story is to give us encouragement - even in cases where we are experiencing an injustice! We can pray to God for help!
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How do you see God as being different from the judge in this story?
How would this difference make a difference in your praying?
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