The best and most neglected activity in God’s kingdom is prayer. God responses to persistent, bold and specific prayer. Praying for my dad’s salvation for greater than 30 years tested my faith, but God wanted to develop my dependence upon Him by continuing to lift Him up before the throne of grace. Persistent prayer shows we are humble. God exalts the humble. Prayer is a major activity in helping people experience forgiveness of sin. In the context of prayer, James closes with the statement “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:16-20).
Christ shared a parable that at all times they should pray and not lose heart. An unrighteous judge gave legal protection to a widow because she kept coming to him. God will bring about justice speedily to His children who cry to Him day and night because of their faith (Lk. 18:1-8). God answers persistent prayer to Him if you don’t lose heart.
Jesus told a parable about a man who trusted in their righteousness and viewed others with contempt. Two men went to the temple for prayer: a Pharisee and tax-gatherer. The Pharisee boasted that he wasn’t like other people: swindlers, adulterers or like this tax-gatherer. He fasted twice a week and paid tithes. The tax-gatherer said, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” This man was justified rather than the Pharisee (Lk. 18:9-14). He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Let children come to Christ and don’t hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to them. One enters the kingdom like a child (Lk. 18:15-17). Do everything you can to help people experience forgiveness of sin through Christ.
A ruler questioned Jesus on what should he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus said no one is good except God alone and told him to keep the Ten Commandments. After the ruler said he had kept them, Jesus told him to sell all he possessed and distribute to the poor so he could have treasure in heaven by following Him. As an extremely rich ruler, he went away sad. Jesus said it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. After Peter said he and the disciples had left their home to follow Christ, He said all who have left house or family for the sake of the kingdom of God will receive many times as much in this life and in the age to come, eternal life (Lk. 18:18-30). Those who follow Christ and not the world will receive great temporal and eternal reward.
Jesus took the twelve aside and said that in Jerusalem, He would be mocked, mistreated, scourged and killed by the Gentiles and rise again on the third day. What He said was hidden to the disciples since they couldn’t understand (Lk. 18:31-34). As disciples of Christ, you take up the cross by humbling yourself and being exalted like Him.
While Jesus approached Jericho and after learning He was coming, a blind beggar said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Others sternly told him to be quiet, but he kept crying out. Jesus stood and commanded that he be brought to Him and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He requested that his sight be regained. Jesus said, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” The blind man followed Him and glorified God (Lk. 18:35-43). Persistent, bold and specific prayer is answered once you get Christ’s attention.
Begin persistent prayer for a person so they can experience forgiveness of sin or situation where you take up your cross to follow Christ. hat person or situation remembering His promise in Heb. 7:25.
