The Simplicity of Prayer – It must be first for the waiting disciple
1 I exhort therefore,
that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men;
The preeminence of pray is in Jesus’ witness to the
importance of praying. In Luke 18, Jesus
gives one of the most riveting examples of perseverance in prayer leaving no
question of His support of the preeminence of prayer to face a hostile world in
which God’s people need to have patient endurance.
Luke 18:1-8
1 And he spake a
parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to
faint; 2
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither
regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she
came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And
he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear
not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will
avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust
judge saith. 7 And shall not God
avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long
with them? 8 I tell you that he will
avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find
faith on the earth? (KJV)
This passage teaches us that we are disciples tasked with
waiting for deliverance. We are not good
at this.
In verse 6, Christ commands us to hear the unjust
judge. We are to hear with the intent of
giving heed to his words. Although, this
is a story and not an event; none-the-less, there is a message from the unjust
judge’s actions, attitudes, and words.
We are to listen with the intention of deciphering the message around
this character created by Christ.
The clear message of the unjust judge is that no matter how
alone we may think ourselves, God will not forsake us. There is a day when God will answer all who
think him silent, aloof, unconcerned, reticent, or unwilling to vindicate those
who cry unto him, day and night. Prayer
born out of faith, that God is closer than our trouble, will maintain and
sustain us. The prayer of faith will
always connect us even when we feel disconnected.
There will never be a time that the patience of God will
negate his commitment to the vindication of His people. The convergence of His will for men, events,
and time is as certain as our troubles.
God help us to pray.
The issue is can we demonstrate faith during this
convergence time. Can we express faith
as God works in a world of Self-imposed constraints of time and affairs of men? Will we faint? When He returns will we be so neutralized by
our doubts, fears, and weakness that He will not find us holding to the faith
once delivered to the saints. May we be
found faithful, no matter the circumstances.
Hebrews 11:7 (KJV 1900)
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen
as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith.
The convergence of Noah’s time frame was overwhelming. Years passed as Noah built and waited for God
to vindicate his faith. Faith said go
on, yet Noah’s human wisdom said he was foolish. Although he was buffeted from all oppositions
to his faith, he remained firm.
Literally, God found faith on earth in Noah amidst the greatest evil of
men. When God’s will converged Noah was
vindicated.
Psalm 27:13–14
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed; To see the goodness
of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: Be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the LORD.
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