Young Adults' Group

“Men Always Ought To Pray”

by Pastor Mark
January 21, 2021

The challenge to pray

As we face various difficulties in the first month of 2021, we recognise the importance of prayer. We are challenged to turn to the Lord in prayer. The problems of life can be difficult and disheartening. If we rely on ourselves to resolve these problems, we will find ourselves very limited. Discouragement can set in. The challenge is for us to learn to pray and deal with our discouragement. The Lord Jesus challenged the disciples to pray. Let us be challenged to learn to pray too.

The place of prayer

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” (Luke 18:1)

What makes a person want to pray? One keyword that the Lord Jesus used was “ought”. It indicates that it is a necessity to pray. Prayer should be our first approach. Priority should be given to prayer…for each day or when the problems come. As I learn to care for my frail mother who has been hospitalised for more than five weeks, I see the vital place of prayer. I have learnt to commit everything about my mom’s situation into prayer. It is an absolute must to pray. We will not understand the place of prayer if we only see it as a nice option. Prayer is not an option. It is a must to pray over all matters. There is no better way to deal with the challenges of life than to pray. The problems of life will show us…what else can we do but pray. We should build this understanding inside us…we ought to pray. Let us be challenged to recognise the vital place of prayer in our life and ministry.

The practice of prayer

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” (Luke 18:1)

Another keyword is “always”. “Always” means “to continue to pray, no matter what”. We want to continue practising prayer. There is continuity in balancing two things…to keep praying and not lose heart. Let us be challenged to keep praying to prevent discouragement. The Lord Jesus gave a parable of a widow who sought justice from an unjust judge (Luke 18:2–5). She demonstrated perseverance in seeking justice from the judge even though he initially did not want to attend to her. She did not give up but persevered in seeking the judge again and again…until he helped her. God is not like the unjust judge. He will answer our prayers. But He may seem to delay in doing so. If God does not answer our prayers today, we should seek Him again tomorrow. Let us be challenged to always persevere in prayer till God hears and answers us.

The personal commitment to prayer

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

The Lord Jesus posed this question of faith. It is an open-ended question that requires a response. The personal commitment to prayer is a good response. If we understand the place of prayer and are seeking to practise praying, our response should be to have a personal commitment to pray. This commitment to prayer should be seen as an expression of our faith. Our heart is stirred to respond with faith. In response to the question that the Lord raised about whether He will find faith, our answer must be “Yes!” The Lord would find faith in us. Let us be challenged to cultivate our faith as we persevere in prayer to the Lord. Let us cultivate the spirit of prayer as we face the challenges of the year ahead.

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