October 20

John 11:38-57; Luke 17:11-18:8

When my husband and I were dating, I would sometimes request him to do something. If it did not happen in my timetable, I would ask him again, and again, and… One day a cousin, who had prayed for over three years for us to date, asked how things were going. So I told him about my little timetable dilemma. He gave me wise advice, “Mention your request to him once. He will not forget. He will always do it.” He always did. In Luke 18:1-8 a widow repeatedly asked the judge for the same thing. He was not a God-fearing man, nor did he care about people. Finally, to get the widow to leave him alone, he granted her wish. Jesus told this story to his disciples to show them it “was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit” (v.1, MSG).

Jesus wants us to consistently bring our requests to him. According to this story, we can bring our issues to him multiple times. I find I go to someone else to tell my story of woes; then finally, present them to God in prayer. Verses 7-8 say we can “cry out to him day and night” and when we do “he will see that (we) get justice, and quickly.” He will answer us in his right timing and in his just way. Let’s make sure the Son of Man finds “faith on the earth” when he comes (Luke 18:8b).

Father, help me to pray without ceasing─presenting all my concerns, frustrations, desires, and longings to you. May you be the One to whom I unfailingly turn. Amen. 

How can you make prayer a more consistent part of your life?

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