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Topic: Mighty Weapon
[DCLM Daily Manna 27 August 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Key Verse: “Yet because this widow troubleth me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” – (Luke 18:5)
MESSAGE:
The place of prayer in the affairs of man cannot be overemphasised. In our text, Jesus Christ admonished His disciples on the necessity and importance of persistent prayer. He spoke of a widow who approached a fearless judge to avenge her of her adversary. Though unwilling to grant the widow’s request, the pressure of unceasing asking left him with no option.
This illuminating parable reveals lack of consistent prayer or outright prayerlessness as the reason many believers are weak and defeated. Many people have the erroneous impression that once they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, all other benefits such as victory over Satan, the world and their enemies, healing from sickness, deliverance from oppression and freedom from demonic bondage become automatic. Therefore, when they are faced with challenges in life, instead of engaging in importunate prayer, they begin to grumble and complain to God.
Grumbling or complaint does not remove problems. Rather, prayer is a mighty weapon that removes obstacles that stand between us and our needed miracles, provided we ask with clean hands and a pure heart. In spite of the assurance of answers to prayers that Jesus had given us, we still need to hold on to Him in prayer of faith. Assuming that since God has given us promises in different parts of the Bible we do not need to pray is presumptuous.
The widow in today’s passage was specific in her request and did not stop asking until she received. It is necessary for us to emulate her and God who answers prayers will answer.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Strike it; strike again and again and you will soon make a mark.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 39-43
