1. “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My wisdom, and that of those all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.” Abraham Lincoln “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My wisdom, and that of those all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.” Abraham Lincoln “Heaven is full of answers for which no one has bothered to ask.” Billy Graham “Heaven is full of answers for which no one has bothered to ask.” Billy Graham

2. Does your life have a GAP?

3. God’s Attitude re. Prayer Luke 18:1-5 1 st century A.D. assertions: Luke 18:1-5 1 st century A.D. assertions: Widows were uneducated, usually poor, w/no power, no status or connection, often alone. Widows were uneducated, usually poor, w/no power, no status or connection, often alone. Modern day equivalent: Modern day equivalent: Street person, “bag lady,” societal outcast dependent on welfare, handouts, and “the kindness of strangers.” Street person, “bag lady,” societal outcast dependent on welfare, handouts, and “the kindness of strangers.”

4. Jesus tells her story The widow is “harassed” by a local villain. The widow is “harassed” by a local villain. She has no one to whom she can turn, nowhere to go, no status upon which to rely. She has no one to whom she can turn, nowhere to go, no status upon which to rely. She has one recourse – to throw herself on the mercy of the court – to go before the local judge. She has one recourse – to throw herself on the mercy of the court – to go before the local judge. And the plot thickens! And the plot thickens!

5. The Local Judge Had legal authority over his district/province. Had legal authority over his district/province. He has no fear of God. He has no fear of God. He has no accountability. He has no accountability. He metes out his own “brand” of justice. He metes out his own “brand” of justice. He has no respect for human beings – he’s a user & abuser of people and of his power. He has no respect for human beings – he’s a user & abuser of people and of his power.

6. A widow becomes a warrior! Society told her “Don’t waste your time!” Society told her “Don’t waste your time!” (Who are you to believe that you deserve justice?) (Who are you to believe that you deserve justice?) She responds: She responds: “I’ll pester him til He does what I need him to do. “I’ll pester him til He does what I need him to do. “You’re not my last hope, you’re my ONLY hope….I MUST have justice and an answer.” “You’re not my last hope, you’re my ONLY hope….I MUST have justice and an answer.”

7. A happy ending She gets what she needs because of her extraordinary ability to keep “pestering.” She gets what she needs because of her extraordinary ability to keep “pestering.” Some of us practice “pestering” in our marriages and other relationships  Some of us practice “pestering” in our marriages and other relationships  Jesus told this story to encourage people to pray and not lose heart BUT this is not the end of the story! Jesus told this story to encourage people to pray and not lose heart BUT this is not the end of the story!

8. Now, the rest of the story Now, the rest of the story! Luke 18: 6-8 Luke 18: 6-8 This parable is NOT an allegory, it is a study in contrasts. Jesus was saying: This parable is NOT an allegory, it is a study in contrasts. Jesus was saying: You are not the widow who was alone, poor, powerless, with no authority, and who had no relationship to the judge. You are not the widow who was alone, poor, powerless, with no authority, and who had no relationship to the judge. We are the “chosen/elect”, heirs, children, blessed & highly favored, we are His priority and He loves to hear our voice. We are the “chosen/elect”, heirs, children, blessed & highly favored, we are His priority and He loves to hear our voice.

9. The real moral of the story God is not the judge who was uncaring, crooked, unrighteous, unfair & occupied w/personal matters. God is not the judge who was uncaring, crooked, unrighteous, unfair & occupied w/personal matters. God is righteous, just, tender, full of compassion, responsive, sympathetic God is righteous, just, tender, full of compassion, responsive, sympathetic Ps 34:8 “Taste & see that the Lord is good!” Ps 34:8 “Taste & see that the Lord is good!” Prayer is NOT trying to wrench a blessing from a tight fisted God! Prayer is NOT trying to wrench a blessing from a tight fisted God! There are no lost “keys” or “secrets” to prayer There are no lost “keys” or “secrets” to prayer

10. Get clothed by GAP 1. He’s a loving Father who wants to hear from you. 1. He’s a loving Father who wants to hear from you. 1 Cor 7:5; Col 4:2 – “….devote yourselves to prayer.” 1 Cor 7:5; Col 4:2 – “….devote yourselves to prayer.” 1 Thes 5:17 “…pray w/out ceasing…” 1 Thes 5:17 “…pray w/out ceasing…” 2. He welcomes you to call upon Him at any time, and especially in times of difficulty. 2. He welcomes you to call upon Him at any time, and especially in times of difficulty. 37 references in Psalms to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will answer you.” 37 references in Psalms to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will answer you.”

11. The challenge…. v8 – “…will He find faith(fulness) on the earth?” v8 – “…will He find faith(fulness) on the earth?” Faith – believing in spite of your circumstances AND being obedient in spite of the consequences. Faith – believing in spite of your circumstances AND being obedient in spite of the consequences. Faithfulness – being steady, reliable, adhering to one’s promises & commitments, the keeping of oneself in truth. Faithfulness – being steady, reliable, adhering to one’s promises & commitments, the keeping of oneself in truth.

12. The encouragement… He hears me when I call….(Ps 50:5; 55:16; 99:6) He hears me when I call….(Ps 50:5; 55:16; 99:6) Call upon Me and I will answer and tell you great things that you don’t even know yet….(Jer 33:3) Call upon Me and I will answer and tell you great things that you don’t even know yet….(Jer 33:3) …rejoicing in hope, persevering in difficulties, praying always (Rom 12:12) …rejoicing in hope, persevering in difficulties, praying always (Rom 12:12)