Young People's Group

MEN ALWAYS OUGHT TO PRAY

by Pastor Mitch
April 24, 2015

The Problem Of Losing Heart

What do we do when we are faced with multiple challenges in life and ministry? Different obstacles like mounting deadlines in school or work, the constant struggle with our sin problems and the disappointment of not walking as we should with God can add up and cause us to feel stress, strain and feeling overwhelmed. In such instances, the tendency for us to lose heart is so real. The Lord in the text of Luke 18:1 spoke a parable to encourage people not to lose heart.

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

The phrase “lose heart” in Greek means to feel faint and be really tired about everything. The context of this passage can be understood from the standpoint of the previous chapter. The Lord Jesus in the text of Luke 17 was dealing with the perpetual problem of sin and how it is virtually impossible not to sin (Luke 17:1-3). Among other issues, there was also the context concerning the second coming of Christ where people would be caught up with themselves and not be ready when He brings about judgment on earth. Very few would actually have real faith in the Lord. It is when dealing with such challenging issues that we must not lose heart but to always pray.

The Challenge To Exercise Faith To Pray Instead Of Losing Heart

“That men always ought to pray and not lose heart” 
Luke 18:1

Instead of giving in to our worries and problems, let’s seek to exercise faith to pray.

1. Having Great Compulsion As Men To Pray

The Lord Jesus reminded the disciples that they were all but mere men. We must remember that we are but a vapour in the sight of God (Psalm 39:5). As frail human beings, there must be a great compulsion to pray to God who is a loving Father and holds our life in His hands. The Lord Jesus had taught His disciples to pray in the text of Luke 11:1-4. We need to be totally dependent on a great God who can hear and answer our prayers. Let’s learn to have great compulsion and drive to seek the Lord in prayer. Let’s learn to pray with faith about all that we are going through.

2. Having Great Consistency In Prayer

There should also be consistency in seeking the Lord in prayer. Prayers sometimes are not answered straight away. There is the need for us to persevere in prayer. The key emphasis is the adverb “always”. Our challenge is to pray all the time and not give up. May we cultivate greater consistency in seeking the Lord in prayer!

Learning To Cry Out Day And Night Till The Lord Hears

“Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.” 
Luke 18:6-8

The Lord Jesus told a parable of a judge who did not fear God nor respect anyone. And yet he would get up and attend to a persistent widow seeking justice against her adversary. And even though initially, the unjust judge did not respond, he finally did so because of her persistence. In contrast, our God who is righteous would definitely respond to us, His elect, when we cry out to Him day and night! Young people, let’s not give in to our own discouragement. Let’s seek God with growing faith and trust in Him. Let’s diligently seek Him in prayer till He graciously hears us.

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