THE WOMAN WHO WOULD NOT GIVE UP Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1-8 (Message) 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’ 4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think.

Luke 18:1-8 (Message) But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’” 6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”

TWO FROGS Two frogs fell into a can of cream. Or so it has been told. The sides of the can were shiny and steep, The cream was deep and cold. “Oh, what’s the use,” said number one, ”It’s plain no help’s around. Good-bye, my friend, sad world,” And weeping still he drowned. But number two, of sterner stuff, dog paddled in surprise. The while he licked his creamy lips And blinked his creamy eyes.

TWO FROGS “I’ll swim at least a while”, he thought, or so it has been said. “It really wouldn’t help the world If one more frog were dead.” An hour or more he kicked and swam. Not once he stopped to mutter. Then hopped out from the island he had Made of fresh churned butter. (Author unknown) INTERCESSORY PRAYER by Dutch Sheets

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? Isaiah 49:15-16 God says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...”

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? The first reason that we persevere in prayer is because in doing so we are given an opportunity to demonstrate the heart of Jesus in this lost and dying world.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? The second reason why we should persevere is because we are in a battle and we need to develop strong warriors in the kingdom. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men and women lay hold of it.” Matthew 11:5

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? The second reason why we should persevere is because we are in a battle and we need to develop strong warriors in the kingdom. “I looked for a man or woman among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 22:30-31

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? The second reason why we should persevere is because we are in a battle and we need to develop strong warriors in the kingdom. “ GOD WILL DO NOTHING BUT IN ANSWER TO PRAYER” John Wesley Like the “CRAZY PERSISTENT WIDOW, I want to “Be the Kind of woman that when my feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, “Oh Crap She’s Up.” How about you?

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER? The third reason why we persevere is because God has promised to answer when we do. “ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?“ Luke 18:7-8 (NIV)

The third reason why we persevere is because God has promised to answer when we do. “My mom used these weapons on me. I was as hostile to God as any sinner. I was fighting with all my might. But the time came when it was easier to lay down my arms of rebellion than to continue my resistance. The pressure exerted upon me by the Holy Spirit became so powerful that I voluntarily sought relief by yielding my rebellious will. The wooing of the divine love was so strong that of my own free will I fell into the arms of redeeming grace. I became a willing “captive” of God.” (Paul Billheimer’s testimony, DESTINED FOR THE THRONE)

The third reason why we persevere is because God has promised to answer when we do. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is reaching into nowhere Grabbing hold of nothing And Holding on until It becomes something.” (Unknown)