Luke 18:1 “ The Serious Prayer Life “

Luke 18:1 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

“ The Serious Prayer Life “

I like what Jesus says

“ and not lose heart “

I believe one of the reasons

He says that

Is because

Things don’t always unfold

The way you would like things to unfold

Through prayer

1st Place

We have PLACE

For everything

In our house but prayer

PLACE — To Eat - To Sleep - To Store Stuff / Closet - Restroom

Question: Where’s your PRAYER PLACE

Footnote: It has to be a place where you Love to meet God with no distractions.

Note: Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives, specifically the garden of Gethsemane, to pray

Luke 22:39 ESV

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.

Matthew 6:6 ESV

6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Note: You need that place because prayer is private between you and God

Question: Do you have a PLACE ???

1st Place

2nd Pen Pointed Time

Daniel had a disciplined

scheduled prayer life —

morning, noon, and evening —

and even the threat of death

didn’t cause him to break that appointment with God.

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Note: David also speaks of keeping a fixed prayer schedule:

Psalm 55:17 ESV

17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Note: This shows that David had a deliberate rhythm to his prayer life, not just random moments, but fixed times.

Question: When is your APPOINTED TIME ?

Peter and John the Hour of Prayer

The early church

kept appointed hours for prayer

following Jewish custom:

Acts 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

That was about 3 PM

one of the set times

of prayer in Jewish daily practice

(morning, afternoon, and evening).

Note: Having a Pen Pointed Time means you have to have some Boundaries that people can’t cross or break

1st Place

2nd Pen Pointed Time

3rd Prayer Posture

 Note: The Posture is a serious position that speaks to God as well as your words on your behalf [ Posture Speaks ]

Example: My posture had to be right when I stood before my mother when she was dealing with me .

Different Postures

Kneeling — Humility, Submission, Surrender

This is one of the most common prayer postures in Scripture.

Daniel

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Jesus (in Gethsemane)

Luke 22:41 ESV

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,

Stephen

Acts 7:60 ESV

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Meaning: Kneeling symbolized submission, humility, and reverence before God — acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence.

Standing — Readiness, Respect, Boldness

Abraham

Genesis 18:22 KJV 1900

22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

Jesus mentions it

Mark 11:25 ESV

25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Meaning: Standing reflected respect and alertness, a posture of someone ready to speak or listen in the presence of a king (or in this case, the King of Kings). It also shows confidence and readiness to act on God’s answer.

Lifting Hands — Surrender, Praise, Dependence

David

Psalm 28:2 ESV

2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

Paul’s instruction to the church

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Meaning: Lifting hands signified reaching out to God, surrender, praise, dependence, and sometimes pleading for mercy.

Falling on the Face — Awe, Fear, Desperation, Deep Reverence

Abraham

Genesis 17:3 ESV

3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,

Moses and Aaron

Numbers 14:5 ESV

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel.

Jesus (in Gethsemane)

Matthew 26:39 ESV

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Meaning: Lying face down (prostration) showed total surrender, awe, or desperate pleading. It acknowledged God’s overwhelming holiness and the person’s deep humility or helplessness.

Sitting — Reflection, Rest, Waiting

David

2 Samuel 7:18 ESV

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

Meaning: Sitting, especially in this context, symbolized quiet reflection, meditation, or receiving instruction from the Lord — an intimate, restful posture before God.

Question: What’s your POSTURE ???

1st Place

2nd Pen Pointed Time

3rd Prayer Posture

4th Persistent

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

17 pray without ceasing,

This means

you will have to have

A Godly Perspective

Of your situation or circumstances

That will not discourage you

From meeting with God

In other words

You’re ENDURING

the seasons of your life

With God’s view

Question : How PERSISTENT is your Prayer life ???

1st Place

2nd Pen Pointed Time

3rd Prayer Posture

4th Persistent

5th Precise

We are to general

In our prayer life today

To where God knows

What you want

But you who’s making the request

Don’t know what you really want

Because of your lack of Preciseness

1 Samuel 1:10–16 ESV

10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

1 Samuel 1:27–28 ESV

27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Question: Evaluate your prayers, are you GENERAL or PRECISE in your praying ???

1st Place

2nd Pen Pointed Time

3rd Prayer Posture

4th Persistent

5th Precise

6th Patient

Our prayers today

Is what you would call

ASAP Prayers

You don’t want to wait on God

[ You want it RIGHT NOW ]

And not waiting on God

You’re concern about

Your Will and Not God’s Will

Example: Its’ like when we tell people we want things ASAP

I don’t care what you’re doing

I don’t care what you gotta stop

I don’t care what you gotta adjust

I don’t care where you’re at

I’m not considering your well-being at all

I just want what I want now

And this is

How we handle God

Through our prayers

PRAYER is waiting

until the Lord moves

On your behalf

It’s called the DEVELOPMENT ROOM

There is a whole lot of things

That God is showing you

About yourself

And

About Him

Through the waiting process

Romans 12:12 ESV

12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Summary: In this parable, Jesus teaches the importance of persistent prayer through the story of a widow who continually seeks justice from an unjust judge, illustrating that God will respond to those who cry out to Him day and night.

Application: This sermon is to encourage Christians to develop a serious and persistent prayer life, assuring them that their prayers are heard and that perseverance in prayer is essential, especially during trials and in the face of injustice.

Teaching: The sermon will teach that prayer is not just a ritual; it is a vital lifeline of faith that requires persistence. God delights in the prayers of His people and promises justice for those who do not lose heart.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage underscores Christ's role as the righteous judge who advocates for His people, contrasting with the unjust judge. It reveals that unlike the judge, God is inherently good and desires to answer the cries of His children, fulfilling His promise of justice and mercy.

Big Idea: Persistent prayer reflects our faith in God's character and His ultimate justice, motivating us to keep praying regardless of our circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

17 pray without ceasing,

Colossians 4:2 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.