2. What Jesus said about prayer
This morning we are going to read a parable about prayer.
Before I get into the story Jesus told I’d like us all to reflect on our own personal prayer life.
What do we pray about?
How often do we pray?
Do we keep a list of things to pray about, or do we just pray as we think about things?
Do we have a strategy in prayer, or does it feel more aimless?

3. Luke 18:1-5 NLT
18 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 

4. Luke 18:1-5 NLT
3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 

5. Luke 18:1-5 NLT
5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

6. A few questions… Why did Jesus tell this parable?
Who does the widow represent?
Who does the judge represent?
Why does the judge relent?
Why do we need to keep praying?
1) To show them that they should always pray and not give up. Jesus knew He was going to die. He knew that they would question their belief, their faith. They would be so confused. He wanted them to know how to pray and never give up. He wanted to give them hope!
2) The widow represents us. Why a widow? Understanding the culture of the day where a woman had no voice, a widow who didn’t have a man to protect her was particularly vulnerable.
3) Let’s note the description of the judge: He did not fear God, or cared about people! What image comes up in your mind when you think about a guy like that? Arrogant, self centered, jerk. We need more information…
4) So why does the judge relent?  Let’s hold on answering this question too
5) Why do we need to keep praying? Let’s hold on this… there is more to the story!

7. Luke 18:6-8 NLT
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 

8. Luke 18:6-8 NLT
 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

9. A few questions… Why did Jesus tell this parable?
Who does the widow represent?
Who does the judge represent?
Why does the judge relent?
Why do we need to keep praying?
3) Who does the judge represent? Even though:
- He did not fear God, or cared about people!
- He is an arrogant, self centered, jerk.
- Even though this guy is NOTHING like God
- Jesus is dialing up the contrast and comparing the judge to God to make a point.
4) So why does the judge relent?  What’s the point?
‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
The judge doesn’t act because he feels the widow is deserving
The judge doesn’t act because he has compassion or God changes his heart
He only acts for one reason – her persistence!
How much more will your heavenly Father give justice if you cry out to him day and night. He will not put you off
5) Why do we need to keep praying? (Invite Pam Huntress up if time)
Vs. 8 - But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

10. Why should we always pray and never give up?
As we pray, something changes
Our faith grows and is tested as we continue to pray
As we pray, something changes
- Have you ever persevered in prayer for weeks, months, years, or even decades… and then seen God’s answer?
- It seems like when the answer takes longer, when it finally comes, it is even sweeter!
- When God answers our prayers quickly, it just isn’t as impactful to us
What happens as we pray?
2nd bullet: Our faith grows and is tested as we continue to pray
Pam’s testimony

12. Application What is so hard to keep hoping for?
What seems too hard to keep praying for?
Are you facing a situation that really needs a break-through?
Is there something you’ve been praying for and God’s answer hasn’t come yet?
Why did Jesus tell his disciples this parable? Because he wanted to show them that they should always pray and never give up!
What is it? Is it a broken relationship? A marriage that needs to be healed? A physical infirmity that is getting worse and not better? Are you asking God for help in your job or finances and you’re growing weary as it seems He is not answering?
We know need – God knows our need – so why do I have to keep praying about it? Why can’t I pray once and its done? Don’t we see miracles in the Bible? I want a miracle!
I want you to have a miracle too – but it is God who does them, not me.
God also put this parables in the Bible so we would know that His desire is ALSO that we be persistent in prayer. That is a good thing. It is a Godly thing. Our faith is tested and grows as we continue to pray without seeing a result.
This is the hope we have… God will surely give justice to his people who cry out to him day and night!
We need to keep praying and believing. It changes us, it causes our faith to grow, honors him.
We do so in agreement with his word!
We need to encourage one another in shameless, persistent, prayer!

13. Luke 11:9-13
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 
Luke 11:5-8 5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him,6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

14. Luke 11:9-13
10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?
Luke 11:9-13 MSG 9 “Here’s what I’m saying: Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock and the door will open  “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

15. Luke 11:9-13
 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:9-13 MSG 9 “Here’s what I’m saying: Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock and the door will open  “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

16. Closing What is so hard to keep hoping for?
What seems too hard to keep praying for?
We need to encourage one another in shameless, persistent, prayer!
Are you facing a situation that really needs a break-through?
Is there something you’ve been praying for and God’s answer hasn’t come yet?
Why did Jesus tell his disciples this parable? Because he wanted to show them that they should always pray and never give up!
What is it? Is it a broken relationship? A marriage that needs to be healed? A physical infirmity that is getting worse and not better? Are you asking God for help in your job or finances and you’re growing weary as it seems He is not answering?
We know need – God knows our need – so why do I have to keep praying about it? Why can’t I pray once and its done? Don’t we see miracles in the Bible? I want a miracle!
I want you to have a miracle too – but it is God who does them, not me.
God also put these parables in the Bible so we would know that His desire is ALSO that we be persistent in prayer. That is a good thing. It is a Godly thing. Our faith is tested and grows as we continue to pray without seeing a result.
This is the hope we have… God is way better than the judge that didn’t care. If the judge would give the widow what she was asking for, how much more will God. He is our God of the break-through. We need to keep praying and believing. It honors him, it changes us. We do so in agreement with his word!