One of my favorite Bible passages on prayer is found in the gospel of Luke (18:1-8). Luke 18:1 says, “And he (Jesus) told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
After giving an earthly example of this principle, verses 7-8 say, “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man (Jesus) comes, will he find faith on earth?”
If it is true that God hears the cries of his people and answers their requests in a timely manner, why do we lose heart and stop praying? Perhaps we lack faith. But what exactly is the object of our lack of faith? Let me suggest three truths that we must be fully convinced of in order to keep praying and not lose heart.
First of all, we must believe that God exists. The Bible says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). One of the ways to draw near to God is through prayer. It does no good to pray if you don’t believe anyone is listening!
The second truth that is necessary for courageous and sustained prayer is to believe that God is good. The gospel of Matthew (7:7-11) says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
The third truth that is necessary for courageous and sustained prayer is to believe that God is sovereign. I love the inspired words of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:34-35: “At the end of the days, I Nebuchnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, What have you done?”
To summarize, when we believe that God exists, and is a good heavenly Father, and is sovereign over the affairs of men, including each of us, then we are more apt to draw near to him in prayer over a period of time, believing he will answer us at just the right time according to his good and perfect will.
The blessing of prayer is that we can come to God at any time and at any place. We can come as an individual, or in a larger group. And in this country we can gather for prayer in our homes, our churches, or in the public square. So let me invite you to come to the National Day of Prayer at noon May 2.
IF YOU GO
National Day of Prayer
When: Noon May 2
Where: Franklin City Hall, 71 E. Court St. (in the parking lot or city council chambers depending on the weather)
Speakers: Mayor Steve Barnett, Johnson County Commissioner Brian Baird, and State Representative Robb Greene
Music: A young adult choir
Pastors will lead small prayer groups throughout the service
Gary Walker is a pastor at Franklin City Church. He is helping lead Franklin’s National Day of Prayer event. Send comments to [email protected].
