The Word of God Online | Daily Bible Study 2009
Scripture Verse of the day
Luke 17:5
One Day the Apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it!”
Scripture Reading of the Day
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes.
“There was a city judge,” He said, “a very godless man who had great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him frequently to appeal for justice against a man who had harmed her. The judge ignored for a while, but eventually she got on his nerves.
“I fear neither God nor man,’ he said to himself, “but this woman bothers me. I’m going to see that she gets justice, for she is wearing me out with her constant coming!”
Then the Lord said, “If even an evil judge can be worn down like that, don’t you think that God will surely give justice to his people who plead with him day and night? Yes! He will answer them quickly! But the question is: When I, the Messiah, return, how many will I find who have faith [and are praying]?”
Then he told this story to some who boasted of their virtue and scorned everyone else:
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was proud, self righteous Pharisee, and the other a cheating tax collector. The proud Pharisee ‘prayed’ this prayer. ‘Thank God, I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t commit adultery, I go without food twice a week, and I give to God, a tenth of everything I earn.’
“But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘ God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For The proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.
Sam’s Response.
There is a part of the above that really stood out to me.
“Their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes.”
The need for constant prayer..
Have you had prayers that have been forgotten and you no longer pray for that person, or situation? I know I have been forgetful to pray or do not spend the time to continue to praying for situation or people that I wish would be fulfilled.
On the flip side, when I have remained constant in prayer for things, they have been answered.
I also catch myself at times speaking or thinking that there is NO WAY this is going to happen. But that is not what is said above.
God can overcome any situation or difficulty we face through persistent and consistent prayer. And we see in the story above, it is pray that comes on our knees before God with a very humble heart.
Another aspect that stood out above is when Jesus above asks “But the question is: When I, the Messiah, return, how many will I find who have faith [and are praying]?”
It can be difficult to not only remember all that needs to be prayed for, but also the desire to continue to pray over and over and pour out our wishes before God until they are answered. Even though they may not be fulfilled before Jesus returns, he says…How many will I find who have faith and are praying.
Prayer is a critical part of our faith and one that needs to be part of our daily walk. WE are not to lose heart when what we see with our natural eyes is not being answered. Prayer is not a natural occurrence, but a supernatural intervention that is in a realm that we can not see, but we know and believe is there.
Let’s us pray constantly and when a person or situation falls upon us and the Holy Spirit quickens us to pray…be obedient, and pray for that situation immediately.
What Caught Your Attention in the above scripture reading?
Respond to today’s reading above by commenting below this posting that is at the Word of God online
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