Prayer and Giving Up

Luke 18:1, NIV
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”


Introduction: Prayer seems to be something hard, lonely, frustrating and discouraging. Occasionally, we say to ourselves while praying, “Is there really a God that answers our prayers? Is God interested in me? Did God leave me? What is the use of praying more?”
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1. Daniel’s prayer.
1) His prayer companions were discouraged.
2) Daniel never gave up.
3) His prayer answered in 21 days.
① Blocked by the devil’s defiance for 21 days.
② Helped by Michael, a militant archangel (Da 10:12-14).
-? Prayer not only faces God, but faces the devil as well
(Eph 6:12; 1Pe 5:8-9).
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2. The unjust judge and the widow’s prayer.
1) Her request was ignored for some time (Lk 18:1-3).
2) Persistent patience bore fruit (Lk 18:4-5).
3) The judge is the devil that blocks us (Lk 8:6-8).
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3. The friend who came at midnight.
1) The need in the midnight of life.
? Despair awaits those with unanswered requests.
2) The friend’s situation (Lk 11:5-7).
3) The demand continues, and it is answered (Lk 11:8-10).
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4. Conditions of prayer.
1) To defeat the accusations of the devil that slander us day and night.
① We must repent ? arrogance, disobedience, unbelief (1Jn 1:9).
② Loving the world and material becomes our idol (Jas 4:2-3).
2) Do not doubt the goodness of God (Jas 1:6-7; Jn 15:7).
3) Make a constant plea.
- Until it is answered (Jer 33:3; Eph 6:18).
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Conclusion: Prayer is a battle. It is advancing toward heaven. It is wrestling with the devil.
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