In Luke 18:1-8, we see a parable where Jesus makes this statement: “Man ought always to pray and not to faint”. In this parable, a widow woman had suffered injustice and had sought for relief from a Godless judge. The judge really doesn’t want to be bothered with the matter but the old woman just isn’t going to take “No” for an answer. The unjust judge understands that this woman isn’t going to give up so relents and grants relief. Though it is from two thousand years ago, there is a lot to learn from it.
It is beyond the scope of this article to parse and explain the entire parable. But, it is important to note that this is not an example of how to pray. We are not to unrelentingly hound God hoping that He’ll just give in and answer our prayers. The just shall walk by faith and it’s by faith that we are to do all things concerning our God. Our prayers are answered because we believe and doubt not in our hearts (Mark 11:23-24; Matthew 21:21) not because we plead with and pester our Father. The focus will be on the point that Jesus is making.
So, it should be noted again that this parable has nothing to do with how to pray. Rather, it has everything to do with why we should pray and to not surrender to our adversary, Satan, who is a most determined enemy of our soul.
Jesus refers to “man” first of all. He is a teacher under the “Law of Moses” and is referring to “just” men who have the righteousness of the “Law”. This is important because those who obey the “Law” are entered into a covenant with God; they are “just”. They need only to petition God and doubt not in their heart and He is obligated (literally by law), to grant the petition (Deuteronomy 28:1:68 spells out the covenant). Any actions after this point are unnecessary “religious” adjuncts that do not impress or motivate God in the slightest.
Next, we see the word “always”. This speaks volumes. Jesus doesn’t say “When things get tough, you should pray without ceasing”. He is revealing to us that the default environment in the earth is “warfare”. In other words, the darkness of this world is a default pressure that is indefatigable and it is inexorably at war with light. Since God is light and we are the children of light (Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8), darkness is at war with us from birth to death. Because our enemy, Satan, is implacable, there is never a time when we are not at war with the evil and darkness that are trying to conquer us who are the children of light.
“At this point in history, we are in the “end-of-the-end times” where evil men are waxing worse and worse (2Timohty 3:13).” ... Pastor Randy
At this point in history, we are in the “end-of-the-end times” where evil men are waxing worse and worse (2Timohty 3:13). We can actually say it this way: “The war (against us) is getting worse and worse and the worst is yet to come”. What are we to do?
What we should do is precisely the point that Jesus is making in the parable. We should pray and doubt not. Why? Because we are in a covenant relationship with God in Christ. He hears our prayers:
“Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live” (Psalms 116:2)
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1)
It is understood that we have the righteousness (i.e. right standing) with God because we are in Christ Jesus.
It is without question that God’s ear is open to His Christ and that we are one with His Christ. How can He not hear us? Therefore, our Father hears us each time we pray if we are in faith (the just shall live by faith). This means that having our prayers answered isn’t contingent upon His deciding whether or not to answer prayer or grant our petitions. That part was settled at the cross. It is entirely contingent on whether or not we actually believe that God hears us and that He will answer.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9)
“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” ()Hebrews 12:3)
That God will answer is understood in the parable. Jesus is telling His disciples to pray in faith and to not be concerned in their minds as to whether or not God will answer. He said nothing about whether or not He would answer their prayers. It is understood that He will do that because of the covenanted environment. Note that we have a “new and better covenant” in Christ. Jesus made it clear in His teachings that God will answer our prayers if we doubt not in our hearts and minds.
“If we do not understand these dynamics of prayer and faith and that God is on our side and that He will act on our behalf, we will faint in our minds and give up hope.”
If we do not understand these dynamics of prayer and faith and that God is on our side and that He will act on our behalf, we will faint in our minds and give up hope. This isn’t a good thing because hope is one of the five pillars of faith (faith, hope, patience, longsuffering, and confidence). God cannot answer our prayers if we lose hope and faint in our minds and surrender to the enemy (i.e. the pressure of darkness in this world).
Please do not harken to radio preachers who proclaim that “God answers all of our prayers. It’s just that, most of the time, the answer is ‘no’”. There’s no reason to bother with prayer if this is the case. This is especially true in light of the fact that Jesus stated:
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13)
When we refer to the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus made it clear and it was understood that God will answer. Nothing was mentioned about “if He hears you” or “if He decides to answer”. Pray and He will answer: no if’s, no and’s, and no but’s.
“In these perilous times, we must know these things and must fight the war in our minds to be able to overcome in these last days (2Corinthians 3-5).”
In these perilous times, we must know these things and must fight the war in our minds to be able to overcome in these last days (2Corinthians 3-5). We also must know in all confidence that God will hear and will answer our specific prayers. He said He would and we must believe His word. How else will He affect His will into the earth except that we pray (i.e. the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”)?
Let us fight, therefore, the “good fight of faith” in all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks always to our God and our Father. Let us not faint in this time of warfare. There is an expected end:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11)
