A Maze of Prayer or Amazing Prayer?

Read: Luke 18:1-14

Most often Christians look at prayer as a maze. They have trouble being consistent in their prayer life. They struggle to see God answer the burdens on their heart. People even get to a point where they entirely give up on prayer and revert to only praying before their meals. God has gifted the Christian with prayer as a necessary tool in this walk of life. He invites the Christian to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). God does not desire for prayer to be a maze but amazing!

In Luke 18:1-14, we find two vital requirements for an amazing life of prayer. Jesus begins His instruction to the disciples with this statement, “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” If we look at our lives with honesty, I believe many would give a raised hand to fainting instead of praying. Prayer can seem like a difficult task, but it is of necessity that we heed the Lord’s command. 

Jesus goes on to give a parable of a woman who was consistently going before a wicked judge until her demands were met. The judge did not care for justice to be accomplished or for this woman but due to her “continual coming” he gave in to her needs. Jesus compares this to God being a good judge who desires to meet the needs of His people and ends the parable with this question: “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

You see the first requirement is that we develop an Astounding Faith. It takes faith to believe that God is good and desires to hear and meet our needs. It takes faith to continually come before God until He answers even when it seems there is no answer to be given. When you feel like fainting keep crying day and night unto him. He wants to answer.

Another parable is given in comparison to two men; a Pharisee and a publican. The Pharisee prayed a prayer that was not so much seeking for God as it was a list of achievements. The Pharisee approached God as if he deserved an award and applause, while the publican “would not lift so much as his eyes unto heaven.” The attitudes were vastly different! To have an amazing prayer life, it is vital that we approach God’s throne with Absolute Humility. Jesus closes this parable by giving this truth found throughout scripture: “for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” God is interested in meeting the needs of those who know they have need of HIM. Everyone has the need for an amazing prayer life these are some steps to developing it.

At the end of the chapter, Jesus encounters a man who lives out these truths. In verse 35-43, a blind man hears of Jesus passing by. No doubt this blind man knew of Christ's reputation of healing others. Realizing that this may be his only chance for healing he begins to cry out, "Jesus thou son of David, have mercy on me." Those in this multitude felt it was foolish for this blind man to yell out and reprimanded him to hold his peace. But what was his response to the discouragers? He simply "cried so much the more." He had Astounding Faith. He knew Christ had an answer for his need and though to others it seemed foolish he believed what Christ could do. Jesus stopped in his tracks came over and asked the blind man what he wanted. The blind man humbly said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Jesus did another miracle that day and granted this blind man his request. The blind man lived out both Astounding Faith and Absolute Humility. Always remember that when He answers your request to give God glory and praise just as the blind man and multitude did in verse 43. 

How have you grown in your prayer life over the years? What blessings have you received of God through prayer?