Pray without ceasing, persevere in prayer. (Luke 18:1 - 8)If a godless and unconcerned judge would give a widow what she persisted in asking for, how much more will God listen to sincere, persevering prayer. God is a Father who loves his children – he will not give us a snake if we ask for a fish, or a scorpion if we ask for bread – he will give us what he knows is best for us.
Maybe this is why sometimes, our prayers seem to be unanswered – what we've been asking for may not work for our real good, and God has something better in store for us.
Although prayer is our personal act, our prayer is not only for ourselves – it is also for others. The prayer of Moses was not only for himself, but for the Israelites in battle. (Exodus 17:8 - 13)
Every moment of our lives, we are in battle, and we have to realize that we cannot do it alone, others cannot do it alone - we need help, they need help. Somebody put it well - we are strongest when we are on our knees.
And we have to realize that our lives are all interconnected.
As we pray for ourselves and for others, we build a connection with God, such that we no longer pray for what we want, but pray for what God wants for us, and pray that we may receive, pursue and be faithful to his will.
Two things consumed Jesus throughout his life – communion with the Father, and fulfilling his mission. The Gospels, especially Luke attest to this.
If Jesus, Son of God saw the need for prayer, communion with God, all the more for us.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 120)
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