Bellevue Student Ministry

Always Pray and Don't Give Up

Always Pray and Don’t Give Up… Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. I love the fact that Jesus would tell parables to show what He meant. That’s just what a good teacher does. They desire for us to learn and they’ll strive to cover all avenues to make sure that we do. In John 13:13 we see where Jesus says, “You call me teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am”! I love the fact that not only is Jesus our Lord, but He’s also our teacher who desires for us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! (2 Peter 3:18) So here in this passage in Luke, we find Jesus teaching His disciples about Prayer and their need to not give up. Have you ever had something that you prayed for often and you just quit praying because nothing seemed to be happening? At 37, I can tell you that I was beginning to wonder if God was getting tired of hearing my prayers for Him to provide a husband for me. Through out my years I’ve found it easy to pray for something a few times, but then just let it go because I didn’t want to “bother” God with my continuous prayers. On the contrary, that is right the opposite of what God is teaching. I can rest assured that my parents never quit praying for me, especially for my salvation. My dad and mom prayed consistently for all of us kids to become Christians and they didn’t’ give up! Nor did they stop praying when we became Christians. They just prayed for us to become all that God desired for us to become. I know that sometimes I feel that I pray out of duty, but God has been teaching me lately not to pray out of duty, but out of determination; determined that I know and serve a God who can hear and answer prayers and that desires to communicate with me on a daily basis. Determined to pray and not give up when it comes to praying for lost friends, sick friends, broken marriages, financial problems, and God’s provision for my nieces and nephews. I am realizing that if I truly believe that God is able to save marriages, provide jobs that are needed, supply money that is needed, and to save my lost friends, then I should be more determined than ever to PRAY and NOT GIVE UP!!! I challenge you as I challenge myself; make a list of things that you want to see God do and then pray with determination and not duty; expecting and believing and knowing that we serve A God who can hear and answer our prayers. 2 Chronicles 15:7 says, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded!” And Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!” Pray with determination and don’t give up! Seeking to Serve! Leslie Gary