“God reserves for thee that which he is slow to give thee, that thou mayest learn to entertain a supreme desire and longing for it.”- Augustine.

In Luke 18:1-5, Jesus uses a parable to teach us about prayer, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ “

We are not to read this parable and think that God becomes weary with our prayers, but instead, take the widow’s attitude and be persistent! Prayer has become a “last resort” for many people, even members of the body of Christ. We try prayer only when we cannot handle a situation by ourselves. Or prayer has become a “one-time event.” We will ask once; if God does not respond, He does not care. We need to be mindful of what Jesus taught on the subject:

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7,8

“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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone. Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being 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!” Matthew 7:7-11

Prayer is a beautiful privilege for God’s children: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Matthew 6:9. Until we become God’s children, we cannot call him our Father. Everyone needs to put on Christ in baptism and avail themselves of the great blessings of prayer!

By: Justin Odom