FRIDAY, MARCH 9
Luke 18:1-8
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

“Pray without ceasing.
…give thanks:
for this is the will of God…”

THE MOTIVATION TO PRAY

Jesus encouraged the people to always pray and not to faint. The word “faint” here means to be slothful. Believers should not be lazy in making petitions, intercessions and even thanksgiving. He went on to give a parable to illustrate His encouragement for people to pray. A widow made her request to an ungodly judge, and her perseverance led to her request being granted. How much more will the heavenly Father who is rich in grace answer His own children? Christians, however, often look to their own ways and means first, and only when nothing else can be done do they remember to come to God.

The widow knew no one could help her except the judge. She pleaded day and night for the judge’s action for he was her only hope. Christians also must be reminded that we have no other sure help except in God. We must pray continually because He is the only hope to help us with our problems. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.)

The judge, though ungodly, was getting tired of the widow’s persistence and gave in to her request. It was not a delayed answer but an immediate and speedy answer. Jesus said that if such a wicked man who had no fear of God would do that, why would the Heavenly Father who is the only good God withhold blessings from His own children? Our God is never too early and never too late in answering our prayers. The only problem is our lack of faith in Him. Many professing Christians never fully understand who God is. Some even forgetting what God has done for their salvation. Jesus said, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). The faith which was once delivered unto the saints will be denied and rejected by many. Many professing believers will not persevere to the end. Praise God that He will preserve His children unto the end.

THOUGHT: Do I pray without ceasing?
PRAYER: O Gracious Father, grant me the zeal and persistence to pray always. Let my thoughts, words and actions be done with total dependence on Thee.