Are you Praying? FOR WHAT?

ARE YOU PRAYING?

FOR WHAT?

Luke 18 v 1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

I have never known this but I can see how it is this parable that brings the section on the return of Christ to a close, for now. The chapters brought a separation which may not be helpful. It is actually verse 8 that shows this and we will get to that soon, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

How do we recognise his presence here and now? (v20-21)

How do we keep focused on His coming? (v22-25)

How do we stop ourselves from focusing only on the now as in the days of Noah and Lot? (v26-30)

How do we stop ourselves from not turning back like Lot’s wife? (v31-37)

How can we do this Christian life? How can we get through the many trials and temptations? How can we overcome the attempts of the enemy to bring us down? How can we be ready? Here is the answer:

Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!

“…they should always pray and not give up.”

So many have said to me in the last few days how they haven’t heard many sermons on the return of Christ and how the spiritual conversations that are had seem to be more about the kingdom now than the kingdom to come. I am sure many have lots to say about that. But what I do know is that I need to turn the finger away from others and back on to me. I need to ask, ‘Am I longing for His return in my lifetime?’ ‘Am I honestly that bothered?’ ‘Where is the evidence that I believe He is coming?’ ’Does my prayer life contain prayers for His return?’ ‘Am I praying the prayer of the Spirit as in Revelation 22:17 the Spirit and the bride say COME?’

Or have I given up?

I wonder if the sign of spiritual awakening is not the things we may think it is but the simple fact of what we are praying. Are we praying still? Does it occupy its rightful place in our busy lives? What are the contents of those prayers?

What is probably true is that we all need to commence again praying even more fervently for His return. By doing so, as the Church responds accordingly then maybe the Church will fight the attacks of discouragement, maybe its members will not walk away, perhaps this fresh cause will draw many to Christ.

When the Son of Man comes, what will He find?