Parables Of Jesus

Part 2

 

Parables & Prayer.

There are at least five parables which shed insight on how we should live our prayer life.
A). The Poor Widow, Luke 18:1-8. Persistence in prayer. 1st Thessalonians 5:17-18.
Since a common person can eventually get what they need from a wicked person.  How much more quickly can God’s children get what they need from God? His timing is perfect for each of our requests. This is a matter of faith, do you believe that everything works together for those that love the Lord, Romans 8:28. If you do believe in His goodness towards you, then your prayers will be persistent.
B). The Friend at Midnight, Luke 11:5-13. True prayer is Rewarded.
There is no certain day or hour, when prayer is wrong. God always gives the right answers, at the right time.  The real difference between this story of perseverance and the story of the poor widow is the type of request. The widow asked for justice on a third party, the friend asked for help with someone else. No matter what your request, publicly adverse, or personally intimate. God answers in a way which both rewards you and glorifies Him. Hebrews 11:6.
C). The Pharisee & Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-14. Humility in prayer.
Humility is an essential attitude for us to have in order for us to be heard and answered.  It is also essential for our salvation, Matthew 18:1-4. For the Christian, a humble prayer truly shows God we want forgiveness.  Some people are not forgivable, Matthew 12:31-32.  No one, Christian or non-Christian, deserves to be forgiven.  However, we can pray for God’s mercy to fulfil His promise and forgive us according to His word, obeying His commands. The apostle Paul had an affinity with this parable.  The tax-collector’s prayer uses the definite article before the Greek word for “sinner”, therefore he refers to himself as The Sinner.  Paul called himself the chief of sinners. Do Christians describe themselves as sinners? 1st Timothy 1:15.
D). The Two Debtors, Luke 7:41-48.  Praying about our Forgiveness. 
To love something more than anything else is to set your priorities and pursue them. Both debtors owed the creditor EVERYTHING, because no matter what the amount, it was all forgiven.  But the one who had a lesser amount simply didn’t fully recognize, appreciate or love what the creditor had done. We are like the woman, IF, we spend time in prayer and praise, expressing our love for His complete forgiveness of all our sins.  How do we pray about our sins & forgiveness?  See 1st John 1:9.
E). The Wise & Foolish Builders, Matthew 7:24-27.  Discipleship in our prayer life.
Obedience in following Jesus comes in many forms throughout each day of the week. One act of following Jesus for each of us to try is prayer.  The prayer life of Jesus was so obvious and constant, that His disciples openly asked Him to teach them how to do it. Luke 11:1, 18:1. John the Immersionist taught his followers to pray and Jesus referred to his greatness, Matthew 11:11.
When it seems that our prayer is unanswered, please remember that King David and the Apostle Paul were answered in the negative. 2nd Samuel 12:15-24 & 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9. The main reason for God’s negative answers is because of His omniscience.  Since God knows everything, He is able to see why we cannot have what we ask for, even when it seems so right for us in the present time. Our requests are sometimes selfish and lack love, so they are not granted, James 4:1-3.  Praying to know God’s will is hard, Romans 8:26.