Facing Problems with Persistent Prayer
Gary Minnick
Midland SDA Church
April 24, 2021
Intro. This morning we are going to look at a parable that Jesus told, and then glean some lessons from the parable, and from our Lord’s words in the context of the parable. I want to begin by telling you the story with some interpretation of what probably happened. There are two main characters in this story. V.3 tells us about a widow. “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ She has a problem. She is the victim of an injustice. She has an adversary that was taking advantage of her. Perhaps the widow was losing her little home, or losing her farm. Whatever it was, she wasn’t being treated fairly.
In those days widows were often very poor, and many times they were exploited. Her adversary was disobeying God’s command to care for the widows (Ex. 22:22-24; “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. So, here is a widow who has a need and there is some injustice being done to her. Her only recourse is to go to a judge and plead her case. She asks this judge to help her.
So the second main character in our story is the judge. We read about him in Luke 5 v.2. “There was in a certain city a judge, who did not fear God nor regard man. Notice that he “did not fear God nor regard man.” He did whatever he pleased, never asking himself, “What does God want me to do?” He did not recognize that he himself would be judged by God. Nor did he care what others thought of him. He was not elected by the people. He was probably appointed by King Herod or the Romans. Such secular judges were notorious for requiring a bribe to get a verdict in someone’s favor, and this widow certainly could not offer a bribe, even if she wanted to, all she could do was to pray to God for help.
1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (His will, not ours. But it seemed like God was taking forever to answer her prayers.
Now we should not be a bit surprised to read in Luke v.4 And he would not for a while; that at first, he was not willing to help her. He had neither conscience nor compassion. Or you could say that he had a cold heart. He may have made up some excuse for not helping her. Perhaps he just coldly said, “I will not hear your case” or I will not rule in your favor.” He just wasn’t interested in doing anything at all to help this poor widow. But this widow didn’t take no for an answer. She persisted.
The judge would arrive for work each day, and there she would be, waiting to talk to him. He might have asked his court assistant, “
What is she doing here again? The assistant would reply, “She wants to talk to you, and she even brought her lunch. She says that she will stay as long as it takes!”
This judge may have refused to talk with her for a few days, but after a while, he finally tired of her being around. So, the judge goes into his quarters and then the Bible says that he thinks within himself,
I don’t have any regard for God. I don’t really care anything about people like her. But this woman here is a real pest. I have to do something.”
Even so, this widow was wearing this judge down with her continual requests for help. So, to get her off his back, he examined her case, and ruled in her favor. Simply because of her prayers and persistence, she had her case resolved.
So that is the story, and we will refer back to it as we move into our message. But what I want to do is to share a few lessons from the parable and from our Lord’s comments both before and after the story. Now First of all, our story illustrates the fact that:
WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS, we are told here about a widow who has problems.
She was poor. She was being mistreated by an adversary. She illustrates the fact that God’s people will also have problems. Now unchristian people have problems also. In fact, their problems may be a lot worse than any problems God’s people will face, because they are depending on self to work out their problems. But nevertheless, you should know and understand that just because you are a Christian, doesn’t mean that your life will now be problem free. Hopefully, you will have fewer, but you will still have problems, yet you may turn to God and ask for His help. John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Now first of all, let’s see: The Time of Great Problems – Based on the context, Jesus has in mind here a certain time period when God’s people would face even more problems than usual. In chapter 24 Jesus has been speaking about the days before His Second Coming.
In Matthew 24:37
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. He likened the last days to the days of Noah. Those were, difficult days that were not conducive to faith. In fact, in Luke 18:8, Jesus asks, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” He suggests that instead of the whole world becoming converted, the great bulk of mankind will be found in opposition to God.
It is only those who our praying and communicating with God daily that will have a true amount of faith and are willing to follow Him all the way.
When Christ returns. Down in Luke17:28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, and they built.
” Noah and Lot lived in difficult days. I have a feeling if you had interviewed Lot, he would have said to you, “I’m living, in a very tough time. I’m living in this city of Sodom and it’s not easy.
For us today, it’s not easy to be in this world if you are a Christian. We’re living in a time of wars and rumors of wars and evil thoughts on every side.
You can live for Jesus in difficult days. It is possible to do with the help of Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:1, says, “You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. ” So, this shows us that God’s children in last days will have problems. Through sickness and accidents, bad things do happen, but God is faithful and can turn tragedy into triumph.
You and I know that living for the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be difficult in the last days. But God’s grace is not only saving grace, it is also keeping grace. God will give you the grace to face opposition.
I hope you can see that we may well be living in the last days. So, this message today is very relevant to the situation we are living in.
The Types of Problem We May Face - In Luke 18:7 Jesus promises this: And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Here we see two problems that I want to point out to you:
A Persecution - The fact that God’s people in the last days will need to be avenged indicates that Jesus has in mind those who will be ridiculed and persecuted, some severely. Jesus warned, of this in
Luke 21. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation” Read from slide
The book of Revelation tells us about this.
Revelation 6:10 says, and they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Even as I speak Christians are facing persecution worldwide,especially in Muslim & communist countries. In our own country, some Christians are facing verbal persecution.
A Christian is out of step with this old world, & some people of this world will become an “adversary” to those who do not go along with their politically correct beliefs, and their sinful behaviors.
Another problem that Christians may face is:
Delay in Divine Intervention - The widow experienced a delay in justice. Luke 18:4 says, “He would not [help her] for a while.” Even so, when we seek help from the Lord, there is often a delay in the Lord’s answer. Your son may be lying in the hospital with death threatening injuries, Day after day you plead with Him to perform a miracle, yet the answer does not come yet.
You continue to pray but it seems like God is doing nothing about your problem. It seems He is as indifferent as this unjust judge. But it’s not, that God isn’t doing anything; it’s just that there is a delay in His answer to your prayer. He has some purpose in the delay.
But at the moment, the delay itself seems to be a problem. You realize, of course, that there are several different ways God may answer your prayer. Sometimes God’s answers to prayer are direct. You ask God for something and right away God gives it.
Then there are sometimes that you pray and God answers your prayer, but He gives you something different, than what you asked.
You can probably look back, at times when God gave you something different than what you prayed for. You prayed for a particular job, and instead God gave you a different one and now you are glad!
Then sometimes God answers prayer with a denial. He gives “NO” for an answer:
I was thinking about Elijah, one of the great prophets of God. Elijah got so down in the dumps one time he said, “O, Lord, it’s not worth living anymore, take my life, Lord. God said, NO.
Jesus Himself prayed, “Let this cup pass from me.” God said NO. Instead of saving His Son, He saved you and I through the sacrificial death of His Son!
Then sometimes God answers your prayer but there is a delay involved in the answer. That’s what
This parable of Jesus is really touching on. So, watch out for the problem of delay. We will talk later about a young man in the hospital facing death because of an accident. And day after day prayers were being offered up for him yet it seems like there was uncertainty that the prayers would be answered.
A third problem is that we may face Discouragement
–We read in Luke18:1 “Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
When we face big problems in life, sometime we “lose heart.” exhausted, we feel like giving up.”
The word describes a believer who loses heart and gets so discouraged that he or she wants to quit praying. Have you ever felt that way? The problem lingers & you get tired of fighting the battle.
This is especially true when the Lord isn’t answering your prayers right away. But Jesus says that we should never give up. We should never allow ourselves to be defeated. Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
As believers face problems in the last days, let us not give up praying. God will answer our prayers in His time. So, there is a lesson here about difficult times. Expect them to come. But Jesus gives us some important truths here about how to face and overcome these times. So, notice,
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WE NEED TO FACE OUR difficulties WITH PRAYER Jesus says Lk. 18:1 that Men always “ought” to pray & not lose heart especially in the last days, . It is a binding obligation.
If we do not, pray, we will be out of tune with God’s will, and we will be defeated by the enemy. Either there will be days of fear or days of faith and hope.
Jesus said that men “always” ought to pray. 1Thess. 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” In Ephesians 6:18 it says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication...” What does that Mean to be always praying? Does it mean you have to always be down on your knees?
Does it mean you have to always have your eyes closed? No. In fact, sometimes I pray when I’m driving,
So, what does it mean to be praying always, without ceasing? It means that you ought to always be in the atmosphere of prayer. Prayer ought to be just as natural to you as breathing is.
The line of communication should always to be open between you and the Lord.
Are you in the Word of God every day? Are you making contact with God in prayer every day? You will face problems all too often, and so you should pray often. And as you pray you’ will draw strength in your life that will help you to meet the difficulties that you experience.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Isn’t that great news. God doesn’t lie. He does what He says. If we are going to overcome our problems in difficult days, then - WE MUST PERSIST THROUGH PRAYER
We know that we are to pray, but at times it seems as though God is as indifferent as the unjust judge and we become discouraged.
Should we keep on praying? Jesus issues a challenge to us and a call that we persist in prayer; that we always pray & not give up. We see that truth illustrated and then stated in Luke 18: 5 – 8. Persistence can certainly pay off. That’s the way it was with this widow & the judge.
Now let’s take another look at the parable. When Jesus teaches a parable, He usually teaches by way of comparison.
There are some ways in which God is like this judge. He is able to intervene to help those who are being mistreated. Furthermore, in light of v.1, surely Jesus intends to teach that God does respond to persistent prayers.
“If a poor widow got what she needed from a selfish judge, how much more will God’s children receive what is right from a loving Heavenly Father!” And if a widow was persistent with her requests to an unjust and uncaring judge, how much more should God’s people be persistent in our prayers to a loving and just Heavenly Father? There is more here by way of contrast between the judge and our heavenly Father.
This woman disturbed the judge. We don’t disturb God; we delight God when we pray. God wants you to pray. God loves to hear you pray. He never gets tired of you coming to Him. Our heavenly Father cares about us.
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” We aren’t like this widow either. The woman was a stranger. She had no relationship with the judge. But we do have a relationship with God. Also, the widow had limited access to the judge, but God’s children have an open access into His presence and may come at any time to get the help they need. Jer. 33:3
We can claim many of His promises of grace in prayer. So, let us persist in prayer, for we have all the more reason to do so. Even though you have been praying for healing for months, or even years, don’t give up. Even though you have been praying for years for that loved one to get saved, don’t give up. Keep praying! Rom. 12:12 says, “Be ... patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Next, let us see: The Reasons to Persist in Prayer – Why should we keep on praying when it seems like God is silent, and doing nothing? Why are there delays in answered prayer? There are 3 reasons I would like to share with you. 1. God Is Teaching us - There are some lessons you can learn during those delays in prayer that you will never learn any other way.
(2). Problems force you to focus on God, and builds Christ-like character, and provides you and others with a ministry, and gives you a testimony. Every problem has a purpose,
(3) and if God quickly answered your prayer to take away that problem, you would miss out on God’s work in your life.
Lazarus was sick and Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that he was sick. The Bible says he stayed two more days where He was and while He was there, Lazarus died. By the time Jesus arrived, he had been dead four days. Don’t you think Mary and Martha must have wondered why the Lord was delaying their request? Yet, they learned about the power of the resurrection of the Lord because of that delay. You’ll learn a lot about God during those times when the answer is delayed as you keep on praying.
Finally, God’s answer to prayer is delayed because: God’s Timing Is always Right – Sometimes, it’s not time for God to give an answer to that prayer. God knows what He’s doing. He has His own schedule. Remember God is on time.
You may not be ready to get the answer right now. Only He sees the future. Only He knows what is best in the long run. So, we would do well to ask that God grant something only if it is His will, and if it is the right time. So, the bottom line is this: God’s delays are for our profit. So, don’t give up.
Also, we must keep in mind that heaven’s clock does not beat at the same rate as our little watches. God is “the God of patience,”
Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. Then as a slave he was accused wrongfully. He was lied about and Joseph wound up in prison. Can you imagine how he felt as he went to prison for something, he knew he hadn’t done. As best we can figure we think he stayed about two years in prison.
How many times do you think Joseph must have prayed and asked God to get him out of jail?
How many times did Joseph bombard the gates of heaven and persist in his prayer and speak?
“O, God, have you forgotten me? You know I’m innocent; when are you going to let me out of this prison?” Two long years and the answer didn’t come. Then one morning Joseph got up and he started his day just like he had started every other day for two long years. About that time there was a rattle of the doors of the prison and a servant came in and said, “Where’s Joseph?
Joseph, give yourself a shave and change your clothes, for you are going to see the Pharaoh.”
Before the day was over, here was a boy who started the day in prison and wound up the same day in the palace as the Prime Minister. When God moved to answer his prayer, he was released from prison quickly.
God does not say, ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at the grave of Lazarus John 11:40. Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” {COL 145.3}
But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief. They have more faith in their own working than in the working of God for them. God still performs miracles today.
Now I want to tell you about a miracle that did happen after many days and months of persistent prayers. It involves at the time a young 14-year-old boy named Tommy.
Hay ride accident
On Oct.7th-2001 at 7:30 p.m. while on a hay ride with others, the hay wagon hit a bump causing Tommy to fall off and the wagon and the wheels ran over his head causing a severe brain injury with skull fractures and more facial fractures than you could imagine. It was a horrible scene that you would not want to see.
Critical care
Tom was rushed to St Mary’s hospital. Not knowing whether he would even survive the night, the family was in a state of shock. All that they could do at the time was to pray that God would spare his life. Persistent prayers were being said. Not willing to give up, knowing that there is a God who has power beyond all the Doctors, nurses and medicine.
Today! I have to give a lot of credit to Tom’s parents, Tom Sr, and Debbie Slivinski of Saginaw Township. They have spent countless days being at Tom’s side in the hospital. I remember that they never gave up their belief in God. Knowing that He would do what is best.
Young Tom was in critical care for months with every complication imaginable. This is a very spiritual family, always keeping the faith that they believe in. Without God in their lives, they would not have had much comfort.
There were many friends and family who were persistently praying each and every day, knowing that God hears our prayers. There also were many who were in the hospital every day giving support to the family. In times like this, it is a comfort knowing that you have a prayer support group.
Operations
Tom has had 24 surgeries regarding the brain and facial reconstruction. Between St, Mary’s and Mary Free Bed hospital, he was hospitalized for a total of 4 ½ months and has had 4 years of speech, occupational, and physical therapies to aid in his recovery. In my niece Debbie words. “Prayers were with Tom through all of his recovery and all 24 surgeries. Prayers do work, everything in Tom’s life is God’s will.”
Tom still has difficulty with memory, focus, reasoning etc., But he has adjusted to these issues. Now I am quoting Debbie’s words. “Tom lives his life to the fullest and has a strong faith in God. From the time of his accident till today, prayers have been a real important part of his life. Without the prayers from all friends, I don’t believe Tom would be here today. He was not expected to live the night of the accident. God spared his life and continued to through all the conditions he encountered while at St, Mary’s Neuro Intensive Care unit.”
“As a result of the hayride accident, Tom has medical conditions that have to be watched closely. We pray each day that God watches over him and his health. Prayers have helped us as parents to guide us on how to care for him. Prayers have helped with Tom being accepted by all who meet him. Our friends, family, fellow parishioners and community have seen first-hand how the power of prayer is working through him. They call him a miracle.”
Even with his handicaps God has called him to do work for him. Joseph Bronze, Michigan special Olympics director for Saginaw and Shiawassee counties nominated Tom for the Michigan special Olympics athlete of the year which he received in 2012. It has changed the whole family.
The family is very involved in Special Olympics. They have initiated, raising thousands of dollars towards helping to have programs for Special Olympics. children receive a blessing because of their efforts.
Celebrating his 34th birthday this year hasn’t slowed him down in his efforts.
Special Olympics
Whether we have a handicap or not, the question is, what are we doing to help out others. The Lord has given this family a purpose in life that can only benefit others. The accident was an awful thing to go through, yet many blessings are received because of it. Often God turns horrible things into miracles.
And God still performs miracles today. Believe in Him and trust Him. Rom.8:28 And, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. This family has been called by God to serve others.
Tom’s senior went on 3 mission trips to Lukulu Africa already and is waiting to go back again.
God is using this family to reach out to the less fortunate. Debbie is giving Tom all the support that he needs. Today they have also been working in the soup kitchen in Saginaw.
Family God has a purpose for each one of us. In Tom’s case, the Lord spared his life because he saw the opportunity’s that this family can give to others.
In Tom’s own words he told us: “This might sound strange but if I could go back to before the accident, I don’t think that I would change anything, because I don’t know who I would’ve turned out to be, But I like who I am today”. A disciple for God.
Like the apostle Paul who had a thorn in his flesh, and asks God to remove it, but it wasn’t to be. It did not stop him from doing the Lord’s work.
Conclusion: Do you have a personal problem in these difficult days? Don’t lose heart. Don’t get down in depression. Instead, keep on praying. Never give up. God will answer in His time. Some of you may be facing a problem in your own life, or in your family. I invite you to take that problem to God in prayer.
Then like the widow who would not give up, keep on praying, until you have the answer!