And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Luke 18:1
The woman in the parable that follows today’s text had become a regular nuisance to the judge. We don’t know what her case was about, only that she had an adversary on whom she needed to be avenged. The judge did not have any interest or care about the case, in fact, he did not have any particular care about any case. But he dealt with the woman’s issue to her satisfaction. Why? She kept coming to him daily with her petition, and he grew weary of it. The time came when he simply gave in and awarded her what she asked. Even though the judge was unjust, he responded to what the woman needed, because she refused to give up on her request. How much more will the God of perfect justice give to those who refuse to give up on their petitions to Him?
We are told of a man who read that if we have enough faith, we can move mountains (Mark 11:23). So, he prayed that, during the night, the mountain behind his home would be gone by morning. When he arose the next morning, as he looked out the window to see that the mountain was still there, he declared, ‘Just as I expected!’ His response showed that he really did not have much in terms of faith. But he also did not have much in terms of a petition to God. After all, what purpose would have been served to have such a mountain moved? Some people are told that one reason why they do not receive answers to their prayers is they want things to consume upon their lusts (James 4:3). The so-called prosperity gospel tells people that they can have everything they want in life if their faith is strong enough. It’s a good way to make money by selling people books and videos to help them ‘increase their faith’. But it’s not the truth. The God Who is so caring and compassionate and giving must be astonished at the selfish demands of people who care for nothing more than their own gratification. But those requests that are in harmony with the character of God are prayers that God loves to hear and delights to answer.
Some people have prayers that, after a time, they abandon. Their reasoning is that their prayer must not be the will of God. More likely, it is spiritual laziness, a lack of commitment to what they once felt was God’s will. Consider such a man as Zacharias, the father of John Baptist, who prayed for many years for a son. Even when the childbearing years had apparently ended for Elisabeth, the old priest and his wife prayed on. It took a miracle and an angel’s proclamation, but he got his son, his answer to prayer, and a great part of God’s great purposes. The answers to our prayers are also on the way, as they form part of God’s purposes. To pray for lost souls to be saved is always asking within the will of God Who is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). To pray for the spiritual blessing of the Lord’s people – individually and collectively – is also always within the will of God. So are prayers for God to reveal His will and direction in our lives and on specific matters. God surely takes an interest in those things that are important to His people.
The God to Whom we pray values persistence in His children’s petitions. He answers our prayers, not to dispose of our peskiness but to reward our perseverence. – Jim MacIntosh