Always Pray

by Pastor Robert V. Shipman, Sr. |  January 27, 2010
"Always Pray"

In Luke's Gospel, chapter 18 and verse 1, Jesus said that men should always pray and not to faint.  In the parable that follows, Jesus contrasts--not compares--God, the Father with an unjust judge.  The central thought is, if we can expect human judges to eventually make decisions on our behalf because we could weary them, them how much more can we expect a loving Heavenly Father to respond to His child that continually communicates with Him.  This is the center piece of Jesus' discussion here, namely, that God's children ought to be in constant fellowship with Him. 
 
Always being prayerful is a matter of the heart.  The posture of the body is not a concern of Jesus.  He is concerned with the attitude of the soul.  A natural, loving and fluent relationship should be the desire of every child of God.  And so, we "ought to always pray."  Now prayer is preventative.  Prayer is an antedote.  Prayer keeps a believer from fainting.  If a person is fainting, they are not likely praying.  It is true that this kind of prayer begins with worship and adoration as Jesus taught his disciples (Our Father, who art in Heaven...).  When we take the time to admire the work that God has already done in us or for us or to us or with us, the very nature of the acknowledgment of His act(s), punctuated by "thank you," relieves the depressed spirit.
 
If you are struggling with feelings of depression today, take the time to pray.  Begin your prayer with an acknowledgment of everything that you can remember God doing for you.  Shout "thank you" after each thing.  After this, begin taking the things that trouble you to your Heavenly Father.  He will either change things for you, or change you to handle the things in a way that will bring glory to Him.

Pray! Don't faint.

Blessings!