Christians Pray
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: An Obligation, Not an Option (5 Minutes)
"Good morning, everyone. Please take out your handout for today's lesson. We are continuing our series on 'Things Christian’s Do,' and today we're on Part III: Christians Pray.
Let’s start with the word, 'ought.' that was introduced a few weeks ago. It’s a strong word. It's not a suggestion. When we look at the original language, we see that 'ought' means we are under obligation, we are bound, and it is necessary.
Prayer is not an optional extra for the super-spiritual; it is a foundational necessity for every single believer.
So why do we need this reminder? Because if we’re honest, prayer can sometimes feel like a chore. We can grow tired of praying for the same things. We get distracted, busy, or discouraged. Jesus understood this.
Our main text today, Luke 18, is introduced in verse one with its purpose statement. Jesus taught the parable we’re about to read specifically for those who may grow weary and become negligent in their prayer life, even to the point of fainting. Let's dive in."
I. The Parable of Perseverance
I. The Parable of Perseverance
"Please turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 18. I’ll be reading from the New King James Version. Let's read verses 1 through 8 together.
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’
4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
On your handout, you see the purpose stated in verse one: that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
Jesus sets up a scene with two characters at opposite ends of the power spectrum. First, you have a persistent, powerless widow. In that culture, she had no rights, no protector, and no voice. Then you have a corrupt, unjust judge. The text is very clear: this man did not fear God nor regard man. He was completely selfish.
The widow had only one strategy: persistence.
She kept showing up. Verse 5 says he acted 'lest by her continual coming she weary me.' He gave her justice simply because of her continual coming.
Now, here is the most important part of the parable. This is a lesson in contrast.
Jesus is NOT saying God is like the unjust judge. His point is this: If a wicked, selfish judge who couldn't care less about this woman will eventually give her what is right because of her persistence, how much more will our just and loving God—our Heavenly Father—answer His own elect, His beloved children, who cry out day and night to Him? The answer is obvious. Of course, He will."
II. The Command to Pray
II. The Command to Pray
"So, Jesus establishes through this story that we ought to pray. But the Bible doesn't stop there. All through the New Testament, we see that prayer is not just a good idea; it is a direct command from God.
Let's look at just a couple of examples. On your handout, you have two key verses.
The first is from 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It's short but powerful: 'Pray without ceasing.' This doesn't mean we walk around with our eyes closed all day. It means maintaining a constant, open line of communication with God—a spirit of prayerfulness in everything we do.
17 pray without ceasing,
The second is from Ephesians 6:18, right after the passage on the armor of God. It says, 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.' Notice the repetition: 'always,' 'all prayer.' This is an all-encompassing command. Prayer is essential for our spiritual life and warfare."
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
III. The Necessity of Prayer: Why We Must Pray
III. The Necessity of Prayer: Why We Must Pray
"Now we come to the core of our lesson. Why is this so necessary? The handout breaks it down into four key areas.
A. For Our Spiritual Stamina
First, we pray for our spiritual stamina.
To Keep from Fainting: As we said in the introduction, this 'fainting' isn't physical. It’s a spiritual condition of becoming weak, failing in heart, or growing weary. Life is tough. The pressures of work, family, finances, and temptation can drain us. Prayer is one of the most rejuvenating and reviving experiences for our soul, spirit, and heart. It’s where we plug into our divine power source.
To Overcome the Flesh: When the Bible talks about 'the flesh,' it doesn’t just mean our physical body. It means our fallen, Adamic nature, with all its selfish desires and sinful lusts. Galatians 5 tells us the flesh is always at war with the Spirit. How do we win that war? Prayer is the catalyst that breaks down, conquers, and gives us victory over the flesh.
B. For Spiritual Warfare
Second, prayer is essential for spiritual warfare.
To Overcome Satan: Our enemy is real. And he actively works to stop us. The story of Daniel in Daniel chapter 10 is a perfect example. Daniel prayed, and the answer was sent from heaven on day one. But a demonic prince fought to stop the answer from getting through for 21 days. What did Daniel do? He kept praying. Perseverance in prayer overcomes the hindrance of Satan.
To Be Spiritually Minded: A Christian's greatest battle is often fought right between our ears—in the mind. The enemy injects thoughts of doubt, fear, lust, and pride. Second Corinthians 10 tells us we have spiritual weapons to fight back. Prayer is a key weapon for pulling down strongholds of imagination, pride, and disobedient thoughts. Let's be clear: Carnality is the result of prayer-less-ness; spirituality is the result of prayerfulness.
C. For Our Relationship with God & Others
Third, prayer is vital for our relationships.
To See Souls Saved: Where do great revivals come from? They are born of prayer. When we engage in intercessory prayer—going to God on behalf of others—we partner with Him. Prayer brings people to God and God to people. Look at Acts 10. A prayer meeting led Peter to the Gentile Cornelius, and a prayer meeting led Cornelius to salvation. Our prayers clear the way for the gospel.
To Maintain a Forgiving Spirit: This is a big one. Our ability to be forgiven by God is directly tied to our willingness to forgive others. But forgiveness is hard. It doesn't come naturally. The Bible says we are empowered to repent and forgive through prayer. Mark 11:25 gives us a direct instruction: when you stand praying, forgive. Prayer cultivates a heart that is quick to forgive.
25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
D. For Our Eternal Future
Finally, we pray for our eternal future.
To Face God: Luke 21:36 contains an amazing promise. It says that through watchfulness and prayer, we can be accounted worthy to escape the judgment coming on the earth and to stand before the Son of Man.
36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Prayer is the discipline that keeps our hearts from being weighed down with the cares of this life, so that we are not caught unprepared. It keeps us focused on eternity, so that one day we will be ready to stand before Christ and hear Him say, 'Well done.'"
Conclusion: The Undergirding Power
"So, as we wrap this up, let’s look at the big picture. You can live for the Lord, work for the Lord, and even die for the Lord. But prayer is what undergirds, supports, and provides power for all of it. Without prayer, our work is just human effort. With prayer, it becomes divinely empowered.
Jude verse 20 says we can build ourselves up on our most holy faith through the power of prayer. It is our greatest privilege. So I want to challenge you this week. Don't let your prayer life faint. Practice it. Persevere in it. Because, as we've learned today, Christians pray.
Tuesday night prayer 7-8pm
Sunday Prayer Service 10:30am
Special called prayer meetings, prayer chains.
You can invite others to prayer with you at your home.
Let’s close in prayer.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
