Faith 13 RELEASING FAITH THROUGH PRAYER

Phil 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Luke 18:1-8 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" NKJV

Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, The purpose of this parable was to encourage prayer and faith in prayer, not to discourage. This parable is a contrast and NOT a comparison, as we shall see shortly.

Luke 18:2,6 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man… 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. Our Father, the judge of all is NOT an unjust judge. He has magnified His word above all His name and justice is in His throne.

Luke 18:3 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' The Church is NOT a widow. We are the bride of Christ and God’s own children. It’s a family affair in court!

Luke 18:4-5 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" Our God does NOT grow weary. He quickly dispenses justice not because He is tired, but because He is JUST.

Luke 18:6-8 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

God is already taking quick action on behalf of His people. However, He can barely stand this attitude of crying out day and night to Him as though He were unjust! It means God has either a hearing problem, a memory problem, a supply (ability) problem, an attitude problem or the way we pray is a problem. It makes Jesus wonder if He’ll find faith!

Matt 6:5-7 5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 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.

Mark 11: For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

James 5: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (1Kings 17:1, 18:41-46)

Eph 6:18 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints