Scripture to Read: Luke 18:1
This week, we’re starting by examining prayer. Prayer should be, for all Christians, a normal part of our daily lives. We should be in such intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that prayer comes just as easily as breathing. Now, if prayer is still difficult for you, don’t worry because God even tells us in Romans 8:26 that we all struggle with prayer (Romans 8:26, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…”). The good news we see in Romans 8:26 is that God’s Holy Spirit is praying for us, so even when we struggle, the Holy Spirit is taking care of us by praying for us and, of course, with us and through us. As He taught, our Lord Jesus would often teach on prayer. We read in 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.” Jesus used parables to teach, and that is what He did here in Luke 18 when He taught on prayer. Notice that God’s Word says that Jesus was teaching so that the people would pray but also not lose heart as they prayed. Our Lord knows that many of us can quickly get discouraged if we don’t see an immediate answer to our prayer. But we must learn to rest in our Lord and His perfect plan.
Challenge & Application
Why do we struggle with prayer, and how does God encourage us to pray?
How have you seen God move on your behalf or on behalf of others after praying?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!