Let us read from Luke 18:1, “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart”. We may come across times where we have a tendency to lose heart; meaning lose our faith and dependence on God. We can have victory in these situations only through prayer. From verse 2-5 we read of the parable of the persistent widow. We all can understand the helplessness of a widow. This widow persisted in order to get her legal help. In the spiritual life, we can see this parable as a one who is helpless because of attacks from the devil. If we cry out like this widow, God is ready to help us. We need to have this persistence in our lives. Jesus also gives us a warning in verse 8 – In the end times, people will drift away from the faith. Are we willing to bother God so that we persistently ask Him for help not to lose heart?
I was reminded of my grandmother who became a widow at the age of 22. She went through a lot of struggles to bring up her children on her own. I have asked her how she got through the hard times. She would answer that she would rise up early in the morning; when all around was quiet; and pray for her needs and the needs of her children for that day. A person, who has everything in abundance, will not look to the Lord. But one who has no one else for help, will be fully dependent on the Lord. A blind man depends completely on his white stick to help him get around through the day. Let us be like the blind man who depends completely on the Lord daily.
In Luke 11 we see another person who has persistence, but this man persistently asked so that he could help his friend. In the case of the widow, she was persistent so that her needs could be met. From verse 5 -8 we read, “Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” Jesus explains that one who comes to the Father and persistently asks Him for the Holy Spirit so that he can help his brother, will receive in abundance. Do you seek the Lord so that you have what it takes to fill your brothers? On a recent trip, it happened that my phone’s battery drained out and I didn’t have a charger. A person nearby told me, there are so many people around – you can ask if anyone has a charger. Many times, we don’t ask for help. Only one who asks will receive. If you have spiritual dryness, why don’t you ask your Father who will give freely? Don’t be hesitant. If you ask, you will indeed receive.
In Genesis 32 we read of the times that Jacob is preparing to meet Esau. Jacob was afraid that his brother will attack him since he had cheated Esau of his birthright. Jacob crossed Jordan with on his staff but God had blessed him with wives and children. Jacob is persistent and wrestles with God saying “I will not leave you unless you bless me.” Jacob clung onto God until God blessed him. God transformed him from a grabber into Israel. Do we have this attitude when we ask for blessing of the Holy Spirit? In Exodus 14 we read how Pharaoh’s army went behind the Israelites and they were trapped between the army and the sea. There was no hope, but God made a way for them in through the sea. In verse 15 we read, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.” In verse 13 read, “the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.” In our daily battles, these are the same words of encouragement God gives us. If we go to God with persistence, He will surely help.
In Jeremiah 29:10-13 we read, “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” The Israelites had sinned against God and cultivated during the year that was meant to be a Sabbath. God punished them and send them to Babylon for 70 years. God speaks these verses at the time of restoring the Israelites. In Romans 12 we read, “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer”. This is what God wants us to do. Our God is a merciful God, He will restore us. In Ephesians 6:18 we read, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Paul encourages is to pray at all times and be on the alert with perseverance. In Philippians 4: also Paul encourages us to make our petitions made known to God. When we cry of to God for faith, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are encouraged to rejoice always and pray without ceasing.
We know the life of Jonah. He rebelled against God and went the opposite way of where God asked him to go. Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights. In chapter 2 we see the prayer of Jonah. Jonah says in verse 7 that he remembered the Lord and in verse 9 he says “That which I have vowed I will pay”. And then the Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah on the dry land. Jonah then gives the Lord’s message to the people of Nineveh and they repent. In chapter 4 we see a grumbling attitude in Jonah’s life. God spoke to Jonah and he understood his mistake. Are we jealous of someone? Do we have a grumbling attitude? Cry out to the Lord, He can save you!
In Hebrews 12:2 we read, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Jesus has gone this way before us. Let us fix our eyes on Him. When you start to lose heart, come to Jesus. Come with a persistent heart to the Lord. He will not send you away empty handed.
