Season of Prayer

Luke 18:1-8
As we begin the season of prayer, Jesus reminds us in this week’s Gospel reading that “we should always pray and not give up.” So what does that
mean? Should we be more disciplined, more methodical or more spiritual to be successful at prayer?

If you are like me, you may try again and again to develop a disciplined prayer life only to be disappointed as the discipline doesn’t seem to last. However, failing has a positive side because it means that I can’t rely on
me, but only on Christ who intercedes with and for me.

Jesus’s entire ministry was undergirded by prayer, prayer for all sinners. Perhaps we fail to realise that prayer should not become an obligation or duty, but prayer is a gift. It is God’s doing, something that the triune God produces in you by faith in Jesus Christ and his word. It is what God desires to give you. Like Jacob who wrestled with God and refused to let go until he was blessed, your persevering in prayer is also for the receipt of the many blessings God wishes to give you. That can be difficult as prayer often involves being still, being silent and alone in God’s presence. When we are mentally and spiritually exhausted from day to day demands of life and prayer appears to be just another activity, take time off to do nothing except to just be in God’s presence, wait on Him, not speaking, but listening, not giving but receiving, not doing but being, thereby gaining a clearer sense of direction through the Holy Spirit who will refresh and invigorate.

Pastor Darryl