Luke 18:1 (KJV): “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Or to say it in another way: “...they should always pray and not give up.”

Introduction: In the life of a Christian, understanding and engaging in the privilege of prayer is paramount. Prayer is more than just a request for help; it is communion, contact, and fellowship with God. Jesus emphasizes its importance through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 (KJV), reminding us that prayer is a universal privilege available to all.

Why Should We Pray?

1. Owing It to Ourselves: Prayer is essential for maintaining our new life in Christ. As stated in 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV), “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” It empowers us to overcome sin, resist the enemy, and fulfill our Christian calling. Without prayer, we cannot become the Christians God desires us to be.

2. Owing It to Others: We have a responsibility to intercede for others. Our prayers can bring healing, relief, and salvation to those around us, as highlighted in 1 Samuel 12:23 (KJV): “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.” In times of need, our loved ones depend on our prayers.

3. Owing It to Our Lord: God has provided us with precious promises and boundless resources. As mentioned in Philippians 4:19 (KJV), “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” By praying, we honour His invitations to trust Him and draw upon His grace and power, as seen in John 14:13 (KJV): “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

When Should We Pray? The answer is simple: always! Prayer should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives:

1. Regular Stated Times: Like Daniel, who prayed regularly, as noted in Daniel 6:10 (KJV), “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” We should establish a habit of prayer, as encouraged in Psalm 55:17 (KJV): “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”

2. When Urged by the Holy Spirit: The Spirit guides us to pray for specific needs, often for individuals we hadn’t considered before, as described in Romans 8:26-27 (KJV): “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

3. In Times of Trouble: While some only pray during crises, God promises to be with us in our troubles, as stated in Psalm 50:15 (KJV): “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Paul and Silas exemplified this during their imprisonment, as recorded in Acts 16:25 (KJV): “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

4. In Special Needs: We should pray when we face specific challenges, as illustrated in Acts 12:5 (KJV): “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Also, James 5:13-15 (KJV) encourages prayer in times of affliction: “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

5. With Others: While private prayer is important, united prayer has great value. As stated in Matthew 18:19-20 (KJV): “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The early church frequently gathered in prayer, as seen in Acts 1:13-14 (KJV): “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

How Should We Pray? Luke 18 provides us with essential lessons on the manner of our prayers:

1. With Humility: Like the publican, we should approach God with confidence in Christ’s merit, not our own righteousness, as illustrated in Luke 18:10-13 (KJV): “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” God hears the humble.

2. Persistently: We must pray without losing heart, as illustrated by the persistent widow. If an unjust judge can be moved, how much more will God respond to our earnest prayers, as emphasized in Luke 18:1-8 (KJV).

3. With Child-like Simplicity: Our prayers should reflect the trust of a child approaching a loving father, as noted in Luke 18:16-17 (KJV): “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Prayer is meant to be simple and accessible; nothing is too great or too small for God’s attention.

Conclusion In conclusion, prayer is not only a vital practice but a profound privilege that shapes our relationship with God, empowers our walk in faith, and extends His grace to others. Are we actively engaging in this powerful act of communion with our Creator?