CONNECTING POINT:L What's Behind Your Prayers?

The subject of prayer never gets old, and the Bible is filled with valuable principles and advice. The pages also discover both exemplary and poor examples of prayer. As readers, we can learn from all this by examining our motives and personal practices about prayer. Luke chapter 18 begins with two parables, but I contend they are interrelated. Over the last two years, I’ve spent considerable time exploring the parables of Jesus as recorded by Luke. I find them powerful, interesting, and insightful.

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up.  He said: ‘In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time, he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

Dropping down to vs.9, “Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:1-14).

The prevailing principle Jesus is trying to convey is: Don't lose heart when prayer doesn’t go as you expected. Prayer is not our avenue to convince, beg, or manipulate God. Take into account the following key considerations.

One: God is nothing like the “unjust judge”. We must be careful when applying the parable and understand Jesus’ intent; certainly, we shouldn’t attribute something untrue or unappealing. God isn’t against us, as in the judge's case against the widow. God is for us; He has the best intentions, but this doesn’t mean we always get what we want by being persistent. The judge was unfair, while God is perfectly fair and just. God can’t be evil; no iota exists in God’s character or plans. Also, the judge was highly impersonal and frankly didn’t care for the widow, whereas God is caring, patient, and kind.

Two: Persistence in prayer is, in fact, a way for God to change us. Universally, there’s this idea that prayer changes God’s mind. Such a notion is misguided. The closer we get to God in prayer, the more we align with His plans and purposes. Richard Rohr said, “Prayer is not about changing God, but being willing to let God change us.”

Three: The posture of our hearts is reflected in our actions. Jesus cites a tax collector as the proper example in a society that abhorred those in that occupation, indicating that humility can come from any person regardless of social status. Before we pray, it’s vital that we individually examine our motives, giving God the proper respect He deserves.