Luke 18:1-8

1. We give up praying too easily

2. Your view of God will be revealed by your praying

3. Pray because of your position before God

“We fall short when we spend more time in the car in one day shuttling them to games and lessons then we do in a month in prayer for their souls.” -R. Kent Hughes

4. Pray because He loves to do His will as it is asked for

5. What about when God seems not to answer?

“God is never late, rarely early, and always on time” - Grandpa Dave

A) You’re not really asking James 4:1-2

“If you are not praying, then you are quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all you need in life. You will always be a little too tired, a little too busy. But if, like Jesus, you realize you cant do life on your own, then no matter how tired you are, you will find the time to pray. “ Paul Miller

B) You’re asking wrongly

C) You’re in the Lord’s desert
-Denial
-Determination
-Despair

Despair leads to cynicism or thriving 

“I realized I did my best parenting by prayer. I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. It was actually quite relaxing.”   -Paul Miller

6. Faith is proved by those persisting in prayer

Response Questions:

When is a time God has clearly answered your prayers?

If you knew God would eventually grant your request what is something you would not give up praying for?

Can you think of a time God changed you in some way by taking you through a “desert”?

What does your pattern of prayer, the last few weeks, reveal about your view of God?

Are there some areas you consistently depend on God in prayer and other areas where you rarely seek his help?

If you believe prayer could be the key to a more relaxed life, what part of your life would you address first through prayer?