With this being the week before Easter, I thought I’d take a moment to explore a thought which can be used for contemplation.
When studying Luke 18:1-8 and the parable of the persistent widow, I came across an interesting thought. For the unbeliever, prayers are understood to be a transaction. We give, we get; or through begging, bribery, cajoling, intimidation, or even persistence, we feel we will get what we want.
Every Christian comes into the faith with this preconceived notion of what prayer is. Partly because that is how it is depicted in media (literature and screed), or at least it is perceived that way. It is also the way business happens. A transaction.
But with God? It’s not.
It is never a transaction.
In that parable, God is not the judge who relents after being cajoled into shame. It even states that the judge did not fear God, nor cared what people thought.
It is a parable of contrast, not comparison. We cannot compare that “transaction” to our relationship with God. In fact, in 18:1, Luke wrote that this parable was told so they should always pray and not lose heart. Not teaching us that if we keep banging on the door God will eventually relent. Instead, it is the opposite. Jesus is teaching us that God wants us always to be praying. (Ask, seek, knock.) And, therefore, in contrast to the pagan judge who rolls his eyes and relents, God welcomes our prayers with open arms–anytime, anywhere.
Give us our daily bread (only You can provide, for You are the source of it all).
Forgive us of our sins (only You can wash us clean).
Keep us from temptation (only You can protect us as our flesh is weak).
For Your glory.
For Your Kingdom (the now and the not yet).
Amen.
Fun Fridays – March 31, 2023
I ardently have prayed for healing,
for restoration of my health,
and in the No, God’s been revealing
a blessing past the greatest wealth.
I wanted back my life’s direction
subservient unto my hand,
but now, with this request’s rejection
I’ve begun, in awe, understand
that fate was never mine alone,
and neither work of my mad days;
the masque of self’s been crumbled, blown,
that I could lift my heart in praise
and without a lonely prideful shame
with others gathered in His name.
Beautiful, Andrew.
Janet, thank you.
I feel this, Andrew.
Years ago, I was driving to the children’s hospital after leaving my younger daughter with friends. Anna had had yet another bad seizure. I was weeping, pleading, BEGGING God to please, please, please heal my daughter.
When I got quiet, I heard His response in my heart: “I am able to heal your daughter. But if I choose not to, will you still love Me?”
That changed my entire faith. My answer then and still is YES. And Anna is still having seizures, now on a daily basis. I love and trust my Father, but I *am* so very tired. It’s hard to watch your child suffer. So thankful this world is not all there is!
Oh, Pam! I can think of nothing harder, and more challenging to faith, than praying for a child and not seeing those prayers directly answered.
You’re a hero to me, and I will wager to all who read Steve’s blog.
My heart goes out to you, for your experience, and for your willingness to share it.
I am blessed by what you share about your suffering, too, Andrew.
We all have something we struggle with, huh? Sharing them reminds us to pray for each other. Not to compare ourselves, right? But to keep each other in mind.
Another blessing…thank you, Andrew!
Interesting. I agree that this is a parable of contrast, though I have heard preachers refer to this as the example of persistence in prayer: “be like the widow who didn’t give up.” Do you think that “persistence in prayer” is also a worldly perspective? I think of our examples of prayer in the Bible and they are usually one-and-done, with the exception of Paul praying three times for his thorn in the flesh to be taken away.
When someone asks us to “keep praying” for something, I have to wonder how God views this. If He truly is, as you point out, welcoming our prayers with open arms, and isn’t ignoring us, then shouldn’t one “ask” be sufficient?
Definitely good things to meditate on. Thank you!
A good reminder. It’s too easy to treat the Lord as a genie in a bottle–just make our requests & go our way. It’s about relationship with Him. And why we need to continually pray.
I am writing a workbook for our Aviation Boot Camp on How to Pray. It is for 6-18 year olds and many parents will read it too. Your article is spot on. I appreciate all that I am hearing as I prayerfully write something that may change a persons life.
Lori, I’m a pilot and aeroplane builder/restorer. I can credit that background with bringing me closer to God.
A lot closer than I planned, really, when I ran a Citabria through a set of 250 kV main transmission lines. Rather a mess.
What a timely email! My character in the scene I was revising was dealing with this exact issue. I always thought it was about “keep praying though you see no answer,” but was puzzled about the unjust judge “analogy.”
The biblehub commentaries add very encouraging insights into what you say: “When the elect of God are in trouble and pressed down with calamities, they “will” cry unto him; and it affirms that if they do, he will hear their cries and answer their requests.”
“To see the world against them, and its rulers crushing them, to fight against overwhelming odds, this would tempt them to think that God was not with them, that He had deceived them.”
“Long tarrying in executing His purpose… on the part of God, whereby He regards both the wrongs done by the wicked and the sufferings of the saints in such a way…as that He does not immediately make an end of both, although men think that His wrath against the wicked and His compassion towards the saints require a most speedy end to be made”
I had never thought of this as praying in particular for distress that is within a state of persecution, but most of the commentaries say this is clearly the context. Thanks for sharing. It has given me some more depth for my scene and has encouraged me in my prayers.
Thank you for your encouragement and parable of persistent prayers. I believe that God loves to hear our prayers and petitions. He is such a good father and listener. Psalm 27: 7 and James 5:16 come to mind.
Beautiful article for this special week.
Some years ago my husband printed the quote from Luke 18:1 and framed it. It’s in my office now. It’s not a transaction — it’s a lesson.
Amen and amen!
Beautiful, Steve.
Thank you, Steve. I never heard this parable’s meaning like this. I was under the impression it’s for us to beg God until He says yes. Which He would if we had enough faith.
That never sat right with me, and now I know why.
Thank you for sharing this, Steve. Just this week, I read or heard again that this scripture meant we are to persist in praying, comparing God to the judge. I’ve always questioned why we would have to beg a loving Father to answer our prayers and why His answer would come when He was finally exasperated with our asking. I appreciate this refreshing perspective.
Steve, I love that you emphasize our prayers are not transactions. I imagine that saddens the Lord, when we treat Him like that, instead of recognizing that His open arms are those of a Father, not a banker. Thanks for this thoughtful reminder! Blessings at Eastertide!