YOUTH STS LESSON 126: RIGHT ATTITUDE IN PRAYER
TEXT: Luke 18:1-14
Memory Verse: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
Jesus emphasised the importance of prayer by frequently talking about it and teaching His disciples to pray. He taught and practised a regular habit of communion with God. The disciples noticed this and requested, “…Lord, teach us to pray…” In our text, Jesus encourages us to pray always and assures us of definite answers to our prayers, but He also points out attitudes that can hinder answers to prayers. If our prayers must be answered, we must have the right attitude before God. We need to learn the principles and practice of effective prayer from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Question 1: In your own words, what do you understand by prayer?
Prayer is communion with God. It is talking or crying to Him for help. It is having fellowship with God. Prayer involves adoration, praise and worship, thanksgiving, intercession and so on. During prayer, a youth pours out his heart to God either verbally or meditatively (1 Samuel 1:10-17; 8:9). From the parables of Jesus in our text, we learn the need for fervency, importunity, faith and humility in prayer.
IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER (Luke 18:1; Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6)
“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Here, Jesus illustrated the importance of prayer by using a parable of the unjust judge and a widow. He emphasised the need for youths to pray always without fainting.
Question 2: Why is prayer so important?
Christian youths must pray because: one, they need supernatural power to fight and overcome sin, self and Satan. There is a constant battle against these three-fold enemies. Christ said, “…for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Two, they are spiritual beings created to have fellowship with God. There is a vacuum that only Christian youths that worship and fellowship with God can fill. Three, as humans, they are limited in resources and need God’s provision.
Four, they are unaware of what lies ahead of them; therefore, they need proper guidance in every area of life. Five, they are on a pilgrimage to eternity and need the Saviour’s help to make it successfully to the end. Six, they need preservation from evil of all kinds (Matthew 6:13).
Christian youths are called to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If saved youths would spend hours praying, they would experience unprecedented’ breakthroughs and miracles in all spheres of their lives. The problem with most Christian youths today is that activities, idle-talk, jesting and abuse of technology have replaced fervency in prayer.
We must never grow weary of praying. To stop praying is to give chance to the devil. Prayerlessness can be a reason for shallow Christian lives, backsliding, defeat, long-standing problems, unpleasant situations and circumstances. To receive and enjoy both physical and spiritual blessings, Christian youths need to persist in prayer and have the right attitude.
IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER (Luke 18:2-8; Joshua 6:12-16; 1 Kings 18:41-45; 1 Samuel 1:9-18; Hebrews 11:6)
“And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, neither regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (Luke 18:4,5). Importunity is a persistent and urgent plea.
The continual coming of the helpless widow moved the heart of the unjust judge. Jesus, therefore, presented her as a model of persistent prayer, unwavering faith and consistent appeal. This is a challenge to Christian youths. Instead of growing stronger in faith and persist in prayer, some Christian youths often give up in despair. Consistency and persistence will open closed doors and leap over impossibilities.
Question 3: Compare and contrast the believer’s and the widow’s privileges in prayer
The widow, despite her limitations, prevailed by being importunate. Believers have greater assurance of having their prayers answered (Luke 18:7, 8). There are various lessons to be learnt as we compare ourselves with this widow.
One, the widow was a stranger; she had no relationship with the judge, but when we pray, we come to God as His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18).
Two, the widow approached a judge who was reluctant to listen to her plea or petitions, but our heavenly Father who wants us to come boldly to the throne of grace and make our request.
Three, the woman came to an unjust judge, but we pray to a righteous Father and a prayer answering God (John 17:25).
Four, she came to a judge who turned deaf ears to her plea and entreaties until his reluctance was overcome by her persistence but we come to a loving God who said, “before you call I will answer”.
Five, the widow was alone. There was no one to plead her case before the unjust judge; but the situation of the believers is different. We are not alone. We have an Advocate with the Father who ever lives to make intercession for us. Again, we are assured, “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be altered” (Romans 8:26).
Question 4: Mention some Bible characters who were importunate in prayer.
Christian youths should understand that God’s ways are different from ours. Delay is not denial. Patience and faith are virtues we must uphold when praying. Jesus asked a pertinent question, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Importunate prayers can only be answered when we have faith in God. The children of Israel continued to march around Jericho wall for seven days without giving up (Joshua 6:12-16).
Elijah kept praying for rain even when his servant reported that there was no evidence or sign of clouds (1 Kings 18:41-45). Hannah prayed until Samuel came (1 Samuel 1:9-17). If we must receive anything from God, faith with persistent prayer are the keys with which we can open the doors of His store house, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
IMPERATIVES IN PRAYER (Luke 18:9-14; Matthew 6:5-8; James 4:3; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 17:1; Jeremiah 29:13; Mark 11:24; 9:23; John 14:13,14; 16:23,24; James 5:16)
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Jesus also gave the parable of the Pharisee and the publican who went to pray. The prayer of the publican was answered. The Pharisee relied on his self-righteousnesss as a guarantee for answers to prayers. The publican recognised himself as a sinner unworthy of answers to prayers and, therefore, humbled himself.
Question 5: Explain why many people pray rigorously yet they receive no answer from God.
From Christ’s response to the Pharisee and publican, God hates all forms of self-exaltation, pride and hypocrisy (James 4:6). God is not only interested in the fervency of our prayers, but also concerned about our attitude while praying. No matter how fervent, frequent, importunate and well-phrased our prayers may be, they will not be answered unless we have the right attitude. The reasons many people pray and do not receive answers include:
(i) lack of sincerity in prayer;
(ii) self- righteousness (Isaiah 64:6);
(iii) religious pride and contempt for others (Matthew 6:5-8);
(iv) hypocritical lifestyle; (v) unbelief or doubt (James 1:6, 7);
(vi) secret sin (Psalm 66:18);
(vii) stubbornness (Zechariah 7:13);
(viii) neglect of mercy to warn others (Proverbs 21:13);
(ix) refusal to hear and honour the word of God (Proverbs 28:9);
(x) asking with selfish motive (James 4:3);
(xi) unforgiving spirit and critical attitude (Mark 11:25,26).
Question 6: Outline the conditions for answered prayers.
For prayers to be answered, certain conditions must be fulfilled. Many people erroneously think that God will answer their prayers because they pray long, assume a particular posture or shout and demonstrate during prayers. Some even think that once they join fasting with prayer or go to pray in a particular location, they will automatically receive answers.
But the story of the Pharisee and publican shows that this is not always true. The Pharisee fasted at least twice a week, prayed right in the temple and stood up to pray. In spite of all these, his prayer was turned down. For our prayers to be answered, there must be:
one, genuine humility and repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Two, there must be wholehearted sincerity.
Our prayer must not proceed out of deceitful lips (Psalm 17:1; Jeremiah 29:13).
Three, we must pray in faith, without doubting (Mark 11:24; 9:23; James 1:6).
Four, our prayer must be directed to God the Father in the name of Jesus (John 14:13,14; 16:23-27).
Five, we must pray according to the will of God (1 John 5:14: Matthew 26:42).
Six, we must live in obedience to God (1 John 3:22).
Seven, we must persevere in prayer and refuse to lose hope (Luke 18:1). A right relationship is important in receiving answers to prayer. Sinners are to repent of their sins and believers are to maintain a holy lifestyle. God is always willing and ready to answer our prayers once we meet the conditions.