Hope Worth Having

IS PRAYER IMPORTANT?
LUKE 18:1-8

By: Pastor Mike Sanders, The Open Door Church

 

    In a Houston church, desperate parents recently fell on the altar to pray for their son, who had bolted out of the house in a fit of rebellion more than two months prior.

    They did not have a clue as to the where-about of their wayward son. They asked for prayer during the service. Many began to ask God to prick the heart of the young man immediately and cause him to return home.

    As they prayed, the young man quietly pushed open the front door of the church and walked in, still wearing beads and other trinkets from his recent trip to the Mardi Gras. An usher recognized him and yelled to his parents and to the spellbound congregation, “Look, the prodigal has come home!”

    Later, the young man explained that he was driving past the church and felt a sudden motivation to pull into the parking lot and walk in. Who says God doesn’t answer prayer?

    Our faith is a source of strength in Christ, through the act of praying.  Prayer should be our first choice, not our last resort.

 

Prayer Is Important Because...

                                   A Prayless Heart Leads To A Faint Heart.

    (Luke 18:1 ESV)  "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

    Prayer brings hope to our hearts.  (Jeremiah 33:3 KJV)  "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  Our prayers on earth activate God’s power in heaven."

A Loving Father Will Respond To The Crys Of His Children.

     (Luke 18:5 ESV)  "Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."

     If a judge who does not fear God or respect man will hear the cries of this strange woman how much more will our heavenly Father respond to the prayers of His children.

    (Luke 18:7 ESV)  "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?"

 When I pray it helps me be patient when I am wronged.

 

God Chooses To Work Through The Prayers Of His People.

    (Luke 18:8 ESV)  "I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

    Appeal to His nature when you pray.  Our faith is in who He is and His faithfulness.  He is a loving Father; He is attentive to every cry; He is generous in His gifts; He is ready to answer when we call.