Pastor David Jones
Sunday Morning’s message 16th March 2025
citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jt5UeFbITo
Persistent prayer is a powerful and effective practice that strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God. Even when answers seem delayed, Jesus encourages us to keep praying and not lose heart, trusting that God’s timing is perfect. By continually seeking God through prayer, we align our hearts with His will and grow in spiritual maturity.
Leader: Please choose what best suits your group and fits time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun Jesus People!
Definition of a parable
A parable is a story that uses everyday situations and characters to teach a deeper spiritual or moral lesson.
Opening Scripture
Read together Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV) – The Parable of the Persistent Widow.
Jesus tells this parable to encourage us to always pray and never lose heart.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?””
The Command to Pray
Jesus says, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
Why is it so important to keep praying, even when it feels difficult or when we don’t see immediate answers?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “ pray without ceasing”
Challenges in Prayer
Jesus said the we “should always pray and not give up”. It is easy to loss heart because prayer is hard work, it can be one of the hardest things in the world to do. We can get discouraged and disillusioned because the devil, and our flesh hates it when we pray. We are not always convinced of the reality of the power prayer has, or we have some misconception about our heavenly Father.
Discuss:
What are some reasons you might feel discouraged in prayer?
Do you ever feel like giving up when prayers don’t seem to be answered right away?
The Unjust Judge vs. God
In the parable, the widow keeps bothering an unjust judge, who eventually grants her request because she wears him out. This would not have been a Jewish judge as disputes in the Jewish world were brought to the elders. This judge was one of the paid magistrates appointed either by Herod or the Romans. Such judges were notorious for being unfair and seeking their own interests.
Discuss:
How is God’s response to our prayers different from this unjust judge?
What does this teach us about God’s heart toward our prayers?
This is a parable of contrast not comparison
The widow verses We the Believers
She was appealing to a cold-hearted judge – We are appealing to a warm-hearted Father
She made requests to a man of self-interest – We make requests to a God who loves to bless
She approached a court of Law – We approach a throne of grace
She got justice – We got mercy
Why Does God Delay?
If God loves us and wants to answer our prayers, why do you think there are delays in His answers?
What can we learn or gain during these waiting periods?
The Power of Persistence
Jesus asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
The sole meaning of the above phrase is that there is more danger that his people would grow weary, than that God would be found unfaithful and fail to avenge or answer his chosen people.
Discuss:
How does persistent prayer help us grow in faith?
What can we learn from the widow’s persistence in seeking justice?
Encourage One Another
(Leader: Take some time to allow people to share some testimonies of Gods provision)
Luke 18:8 - I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
God surely vindicates His children at a time, perhaps, when we are nearly ready to give up and to sink into despair.
Discuss:
Have you experienced a time when God answered a prayer after a long wait?
How did that experience strengthen your faith?
How can we encourage each other to continue in prayer and trust God’s timing?
Closing Thoughts
Jesus calls us to trust Him in prayer, even when we don’t see immediate results. Persistent prayer builds our faith and helps us align our hearts with God’s will. Let’s encourage each other to keep praying, believing that God hears us and will answer in His perfect timing.
Practical Application
How can we apply persistent prayer in our own lives?
Is there a situation you’re praying about right now where you need to persist and trust God, even if you don’t see an answer yet?
Closing Prayer
Ask God to help you persevere in prayer, trusting His perfect timing and will. Pray for encouragement to keep praying, even when answers seem delayed.
Challenge for the Week
Spend some time each day this week praying persistently about one thing you’ve been waiting on. Trust that God is hearing you and will respond in His perfect way
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