Persistence in Prayer Part II - Vineyard Christian Church of Crystal Lake

Persistence in Prayer Part II (Luke 18:1-8)

Luke 18:1-8 This is the second time in Luke Jesus has taught on this. So, it must be important.

This parable uses a rabbinic style of lesser to greater argument. “If this women’s persistence resulted in justice from an evil judge, then how much more will our persistent prayers be answered by our loving heavenly father.”
In both teachings on prayer Jesus has the characters in the story facing some sort of trail.

Verse 1 There is a word present here in the Greek that could translate as “it is necessary.”

it is necessary to always pray and not faint.
The verse ends by saying “do not give up.” In the NIV
- The Greek word used here is the word for “fainting.”
We are to pray with the kind persistence and earnestness that could cause fainting.
There is a connection between this verse and the last section of chapter 17. And the end times.
The prayer that Jesus is talking about here in Luke 18, is continual prayer not necessarily continuous.
So, praying every chance you get but not necessarily praying non-stop.
- Paul says something very similar in Eph 6:18.

Verse 2 Jesus begins his parable with a description of a notorious judge.

This Judge could have been a Jewish judge since the Romans allowed the Jews to manage their own affairs.
History tells us that there were rather powerful judges who while Jewish did not fear or follow God.
Judges in Israel were supposed to be God’s representatives. (2 Chron 19:6-7)

Verse 3 Jesus now introduces the next character in the story, a widow.

A widow would have been the person a judge would have been most obligated to help.
Some have suggested that perhaps this could have been a creditor who may have been trying to take her land or property but as a widow the law was on her side.
Others have suggested that her husband’s estate was not taking proper care of her and this is also possible.

Verse 4 It appears she has been coming before this judge for many days or weeks.

Even though the law would be in the widow’s favor the unmerciful judge refuses to rule in her favor.
There is no specific reason given for the judges’ refusal other than he doesn’t fear God.

Verse 5 The NIV here uses “attack me,”

Other translations use “wear me out’ The Greek word is really “exhaust me”
- The Greek word can mean Harass.
But this expression “wear me out” can be idiomatic and could mean “to give someone a black eye.”
Used figuratively, it means to wear down emotionally or to beat down someone’s reputation.”
- You could say, “My reputation has been given a black eye.”
But since this judge could care less about loss of reputation, he is probably more concerned with being worn down emotionally by the woman’s constant coming.
Now we must remember that the judge does not represent God,
Just like the passage we looked at last week, the grumpy neighbor did not represent God.
- In both cases Jesus is contrasting these people to God.

Verse 6 Jesus now reflects on his own parable by telling the disciples to listen to the judge.

Remember this is a lesser to greater style of argument.
If this uncaring jerk of a judge responds to repeated pleas from someone he does not know or care about, how much more will a righteous and loving Father respond to his children.

Verse 7 Jesus now makes two rather closely related statements about God’s response to our prayers.

First, God will bring about justice in the face of trouble for His Children.
Second: with the statement “will he keep putting them off” Jesus also tells us that we will not have to wait forever.

Verse 8 God will bring justice quickly.

This is tied in part back to the last section in Luke 17 where if you are on the roof, you won’t have time to downstairs and get your possessions.
When God acts it will be quick and decisive. **This does not mean that God will act immediately.
- It just means that when God does act, it will be with quick results.
Biblical example of this kind of prayer, Acts 12:4-7.