Luke 18:1 Then, Jesus spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…
I am writing to you from the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Missouri. Covering the front right wall are Jesus’ words: “God will bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night…” Luke 18:7-8 Do you believe this for yourself? Do you believe this for those you have been praying for? Or, have you lost heart? Have you quit expecting that God will answer your prayers, showing you His salvation – His goodness and mercy?
In this Luke 18 parable, Jesus confronts one of the biggest temptations that you will ever face in this life, which is to lose heart. Jesus intimately understands your frame – your weakness – and exhorts you “to pray and not lose heart.” Too often, however, your own prayers can keep your eyes focused on the problems, causing you to lose heart.
Anchor your heart in God’s goodness and declare Psalm 27:13 “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
About nineteen years ago this is where I found myself, until I learned how to take my eyes off of my problems in my prayers and focus them on the Word of God. As I began to pray God’s Word, speaking God’s Word over my own heart, over my circumstances, and back to God, discouragement and hopelessness began to evaporate.
Instead of expecting the worst or expecting what the world or my flesh said, I declared God’s Word, followed by Psalm 62:5 “My expectation is from God” and from God alone. Like the persistent widow, I began to persistently declare God’s Word over my life. Since then, I have seen many prayers answered not only for my own life, but for many others as I choose to speak God’s Word.
God is the just judge, Who inclines His ear to you, for you are God’s elect, His chosen one. Today, Jesus exhorts you to keep on asking and expecting, crying out for justice from your adversary – from your adversity – just as the widow did in this parable. If an unjust judge, who did not fear God or respect man, would give this widow what she asked for because of her persistency, how much more will God Who has given you His own Son, freely give you all things. (Rom. 8:32)
Anchor your heart in God’s goodness and declare:
Psalm 27:13 “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”