Here is a novel idea for everyday life for a child of God: PRAY! Pray more. Pray in faith. Pray with intensity. Pray for loved ones. Pray for spiritual blessings. Pray for God to remove the problems in this life if it be His will and strength to faithfully persevere if it is not His will. Pray for protection from the evil one. Pray praises to the Lord. Pray for wisdom. PRAY!
In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus exhorts the disciples through parabolic teaching to pray more and not to lose heart. The setting of the passage is the final judgment coming out of Luke 17. The point of Jesus’ parable is that if a judge (who is wicked) is willing to act on behalf of the poor widow, how much more is God (who is good) willing to act on behalf of His people when they pray to Him. The passage concludes with Jesus connecting faithfulness, prayer, and salvation together as He says, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
It is incredible that Paul concludes his exhortation for Christians to put on the full armor of God in their fight against the schemes of the devil (girded loins of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, etc.) by stating they should pray! After all that spiritual armor Paul writes, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18a). The armor is not enough! We need to stay in contact with headquarters…heaven!
This devotional could go on for pages because prayer is that important. How about just read Luke 18:1-8 and listen to Pray by Sanctus Real and then pray without ceasing today.
Luke 18:1-8
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”