Faith 13

RELEASING FAITH THROUGH PRAYER

Phil 4:6-76 Be anxious for nothing, but in

everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace

of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your

hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Luke 18:1-8Then He spoke a parable to

them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2

saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God

nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice

for me from my adversary.'

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within

himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet

because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary

me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own

elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long

with them? 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?" NKJV

Luke 18:1Then He spoke a parable to

them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

•The purpose of this parable was to encourage prayer and

faith in prayer, not to discourage.

•This parable is a contrast and NOT a comparison, as

we shall see shortly.

Luke 18:2,62 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God

nor regard man…6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what

the unjust judge said.

•Our Father, the judge of all is NOT an unjust judge. He

has magnified His word above all His name and justice is in His throne.

Luke 18:33 Now there was a widow in that

city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from

my adversary.'

•The Church is NOT a widow. We are the bride of Christ

and God’s own children. It’s a family affair in court!

Luke 18:4-54 And he would not for a while;

but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet

because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary

me.'"

•Our God does NOT grow weary. He quickly dispenses

justice not because He is tired, but because He is

JUST.

Luke 18:6-86 Then the Lord said, "Hear what

the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own

elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long

with them? 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 is already taking quick action on behalf of His

people.•However, He can barely

stand this attitude of crying out day and night to Him as

though He were unjust!•It means God has either a

hearing problem, a memory problem, a supply (ability)

problem, an attitude problem or the way we pray is a problem. It makes Jesus wonder if He’ll find faith!

Matt 6:5-75 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For

they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to

you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to

your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the

heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many

words.

Mark 11:23-24 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,

'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.

James 5:17-1817 Elijah was a man with a

nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain;

and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the

heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

(1Kings 17:1, 18:41-46)

Eph 6:1818 praying always with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with

all perseverance and supplication for all the saints