Luke 18:1-14

This passage speaks to two key principles – praying persistently with expectation and praying with humility. In verses 1-8 we are the persistent widow who presents herself before the unjust judge. Except our judge is kind, loving and willing to hear and answer us. Why then do we sit in our pain, suffering and anxieties rather than take them to the One who can bring healing? The Lord is waiting on His throne for His people to come to Him with all their requests. Simply take them to Jesus, with faith, knowing He can do all things. We can’t just pray persistently, we need to add faith into our prayers. We need to ask expectantly. You’re not praying to an idol made of stone but to a real, mighty and powerful God! 

And when we do take our requests, let us not take them like the Pharisee, with pride and self-righteousness. He was keeping count of his righteous deeds and could name them off. This is in direct contrast to the Tax Collector, who stands off to the side, not looking to heaven and humbly offers the cry “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Let’s be a people who are persistent in humble prayers that acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness. When we don’t have words, cry out “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” When we have wronged a brother or sister cry “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” When we can’t find our way cry ”God have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Today, ask yourself if you have gone to the Father in faith and humility with the expectation that He can hear and answer. Ask yourself if you have been the Pharisee or the Tax Collector in your prayers and make a change in how you approach the throne of King Jesus today.