PC3 Devotions

Persistence, boldness and diligence. Are these words that define your prayer life? Or are terms like weary, disillusioned and disenchanted more apt descriptions? What keeps you from approaching God’s throne with boldness? What has caused you to lose heart?

Prayer can be summed up in one simple word: communion. It goes beyond communication to communion. Unfortunately, many of us find it very difficult to land at this place of refuge. Before we even start, inadequacy paralyzes our prayers.

This is fueled by the assumption that God has better things to do with His time (bringing peace during wartime, ending poverty, curing AIDS) then listen to our silly requests concerning our insignificant lives. Through the telling of the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus is nudging us to see the heart of God from a different perspective.

Luke 18:1-8

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ “

6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

God longs for us to participate in His story by lifting up our requests to Him confident that a loving creator cares about our wants, needs and desires. Jesus contrasts the vast differences between an unjust judge and the gracious God we lift our concerns toward to show how our weariness in prayer stems from a distorted view of God’s character.

Today’s parable echoes Paul’s message of persistent prayer found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It is a simple message of two words: pray continually. With our busy schedules and all the demands that come with living life, keeping this command seems nearly impossible.

How can one pray without ceasing and not grow weary? What Paul is saying is that prayer is a “heart-set” that keeps the lines of communication with God perpetually open. Prayer is about creating an atmosphere where constant communion with God can exist.

God, forgive me for doubting that my concerns are important to you. I desire to trust you with all my hopes, dreams, fears and concerns. May I be persistent in pursuing your heart and aligning myself with your story that is unfolding before me. Allow me to have the humility to come to you in faith with all that I am. Amen.

Persistence, boldness and diligence. Are these words that define your prayer life? Or are terms like weary, disillusioned and disenchanted more apt descriptions? What keeps you from approaching God’s throne with boldness? What has caused you to lose heart?

Prayer can be summed up in one simple word: communion. It goes beyond communication to communion. Unfortunately, many of us find it very difficult to land at this place of refuge. Before we even start, inadequacy paralyzes our prayers.

This is fueled by the assumption that God has better things to do with His time (bringing peace during wartime, ending poverty, curing AIDS) then listen to our silly requests concerning our insignificant lives and the decisions we face. Through the telling of the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus is nudging us to see the heart of God from a different perspective.

Luke 18:1-8

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ “

6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

God longs for us to participate in His story by lifting up our requests to Him confident that a loving creator cares about our wants, needs and desires. He is interested in the situations we face. Jesus contrasts the vast differences between an unjust judge and the gracious God we lift our concerns toward to show how our weariness in prayer stems from a distorted view of God’s character.

Today’s parable echoes Paul’s message of persistent prayer found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It is a simple message of two words: pray continually. With our busy schedules and all the demands that come with living life, keeping this command seems nearly impossible.

How can one pray without ceasing and not grow weary? What Paul is saying is that prayer is a “heart-set” that keeps the lines of communication with God perpetually open. Prayer is about creating an atmosphere where constant communion with God can exist.

God, forgive me for doubting that my concerns are important to you. I desire to trust you with all my hopes, dreams, fears and concerns. May I be persistent in pursuing your heart and aligning myself with your story that is unfolding before me. Allow me to have the humility to come to you in faith with all that I am. Amen.

You cannot seek the welfare of the city from a distance. It requires personal investment where you are allowing walls to be broken and individuals to be known and loved. Rather than pushing inward, Christ-centered community reaches out. The imagery of true community is an extended hand.

Jeremiah 29:7,10-11

7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

10“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfareand not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The fuel to love others and seek the welfare of the city comes from knowing we have been trusted with the integrity of His image and influence of His love. This takes place when we see our personal life change as a part of the bigger picture. Having felt the amazing love of Christ firsthand, we desire for others to experience the one thing that has transformed our lives.

As God molds our individual heart, He invites us to bring His message of hope to the places where we have been planted. The love we have experienced demands the response of making room in our lives to come alongside others who are hurting, lost and without hope.  Reflecting a personal God requires entering people’s worlds. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul speaks of this relational aspect of change when he says, “we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our very own selves.”

Each part of the body participating in this effort is critical in reflecting His image. If one part is not fully engaged it lessens the overall influence and impact of the body. He has drawn you to Himself and placed you in this body to participate in reaching those you know and helping them walk with God.

This makes reaching and helping people in the places where you have been planted all the more important. For you, this might mean raising children in a way that honors God, being a light in the secular workplace, or caring for a friend who is wrestling with some difficult issues. God has placed you where you are for a purpose. It is our job to pray for eyes to see where we have influence and impact in the lives of others.

Like Christ, we must be willing to move into relationships with those that are in the places where you are planted. Yet, a surprise twist comes at the end of our efforts to impact others and affect change in their lives. God uses our obedience in moving into other people’s lives to produce change in our own. This is where He stretches you and molds you into His image.

Through our attempts to love others, God stretches us, teaches us and reveals more of His character. The depth we crave in our walk with Him develop as our heart slowly becomes His own. This takes place all by following a simple command: seek the welfare of the city.

God, give me eyes to see those around me as individuals in need of your grace. May I seek the welfare of this city and influence the places where I’ve been planted. Amen.

What does it mean to seek the welfare of the city?