Never Lose Heart

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1)

 

Our Lord is sharing something essential with His disciples — prayer is the only way to keep a hopeful outlook through the bleak seasons we are sure to experience. The prayerful saint is the hopeful saint, and Jesus wants our hope to flourish, so we must pray!

 

Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:46)

 

Jesus told us we will suffer tribulation in this world; yet we are to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world, and we overcome through Him. There are people and circumstances for which we would lose all hope apart from the assurance we receive from prayer and intercession. The Lord has ordained our prayer life as His formula for spiritual sustenance and success. 

 

A praying saint may travail and suffer, he may struggle and wonder when God will answer, she may grapple with feelings of defeat and depression – but the fact that we persevere in prayer is the surest sign we have not given up. The prayer of faith girds and guards the heart of the intercessor, keeping us connected to an invisible stream of spiritual strength through faith. We never doubt that God will keep His Word and glorify His Son if we will just believe — and pray.

 

May the Lord increase the faithful in the earth, and may we never take our eyes off the promise or the Promise Keeper. May we pray and never lose hope.

 

Let's Pray - Father, Your Word says You will keep me in perfect peace, if my eyes and heart are fixed on You. Help me stay focused and prayerful, so that I might see Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus alone, Amen.