Discussion question: What should we be praying for?

Context

We’re going to discuss prayer this week. A religious person may pray in earnest and intensity, with words that only a prayer would use in order for God to hear them. A person with faith in Christ, however, comes to God on the basis that they are right with God – not arrogantly, but humbly admitting their sin and thankful that mercy is given and received through Christ.

We’ll look at Jesus’ words in Luke 18 about speaking to God. As you read together, take particular note of Jesus’ words in Verse 8.

Read Luke 18:1-8

Observation

Q1. What is the purpose of Jesus’ parable according to Verse 1?

For disciples of Jesus to always pray and not give up.

Q2. Describe the characters in His parable.

The judge: has authority to bring about justice or deny it – he neither fears God nor cares what people thought. Does this mean that he is not swayed by people nor God to do what he wants. He has power but does not care. Thinks of the woman as a bother.

The woman: is a widow and has at least one adversary. She feels victimised and turns to the judge for help. He is perhaps her only help since she persists in pleading with him. She wants justice. This seems like a reasonable request. She is persistent. 

Q3. What motivates the judge to answer this woman’s pleas?

Her persistence and his assumption that she will attack him. He maybe thinks she’s a little crazy. 

Q4. How does Jesus’ parable point to God?

Jesus’ parable is a point made about God out of contrast rather than simile. If the judge will give in and grant justice because of her persistence, how much more would God respond who is all about justice with care.

Q5. What do we learn about God from this account?

He has power to bring justice. The disciples are described as God’s chosen ones. He is swift to respond to the prayers of injustice. 

Q6. What does Luke 18:1-8 teach us about the content and habit of our prayer?

The issue of injustice is paramount. The prayers in mind here are not a wish list for self but cries of injustice. The account ends with Jesus questioning whether he will find many faithful prayers on the earth when he comes. If we stop praying, this would be a sign that we are not desperate enough with regard to righteousness and injustice.

Q7. What kind of justice do you think Jesus is referring to in Verse 7?

Salvation. Justice with mercy. Justice alone would mean an end to us all as only God is righteous. But when Jesus uses the phrase ‘chosen ones’, he points to the grace and mercy of God. Christians will cry for justice while clinging to the cross of Christ.

Meaning

While this passage is not enough on it’s own for a thorough study on prayer, it highlights the link between prayer and faith. God’s chosen people ought to be confident to cry to God for help. The ultimate injustice is that the ungodly grow in strength and this world continues to turn its back on God. We, who live for the kingdom, can come to God only with the knowledge that they are chosen in Christ. When the Son of Man did come, he was led to the cross by an unfaithful world. 

Application

Application A) Crying out for justice. There are many injustices in this world. Yes, we can pray for many and all of them. The ultimate injustice, however, is a world who does not fear God. With this in mind, consider the Lord’s Prayer as a model for crying out for justice. 

Application B) Praying day and night. Whether you can make a habit of scheduled prayer, or pursue an attitude of turning everything into prayer, the bottom line is that prayer consists of a dependence on God. The widow did not give up because she had no other hope. Do you feel the same way with our prayers to God? When our prayers consist of things about us and our desires and wishes, then God becomes not much more than a genie. But when our prayers consist of knowing God’s plans for the world, then praying for justice will include our knowledge of what God has done at the cross. We have no other hope.

Application C) Being found faithful. Jesus most likely referred to his first coming in Verse 8 but the point still carries for us who await the second coming. Are you keen for Christ to return? If faith in Christ means going all in, then we are and want to be ready for him to return. Prayer is faith speaking. It consists of talking to God about what he has made clear to us through the gospel. Faith directs our prayers to pray in line with God’s eternal purposes and to trust Him with the details. Praying the Lord’s Prayer daily is not a bad place to start.