Are we Thankful in a Time of Trouble?

(75) How do we balance our prayers?

Jesus’ disciples must be getting the message by now, that there’s a lot to learn. Sometimes we need to get the message too. But, like the disciples, we also need to remember it’s about relationship with someone who knows how much we need to learn, not about getting everything right for ourselves. Read Luke 18:1-8

1.       Verse 1. Jesus tells them to pray and not lose heart. What sort of thing makes us give up?

2.       Verse 2 introduces an “unjust” judge. What do we look for in our judges?

a.       What do we look for in political leaders?

b.      In church leaders?

3.       At this point, who might the listeners have thought Jesus was going to criticize?

4.       Verse 3-5. Jesus could well be telling a familiar story to his listeners. People did persist in complaining, in hopes that they’d finally be heard. How much effort do we put into being heard by human authorities?

5.       Verse 6-7. How much effort do we put into being heard by God? Do we keep bothering him? Should we?

a.       How do we balance trusting God, praying with faith, and praying persistently?

b.      Is there anything wrong with repeating the same prayer request over and over?

c.       Does this say anything about repeating/reciting the same prayer over and over?

6.       Verse 8 says God will respond speedily. What do we do when answers don’t come speedily?

7.       Jesus was the Son of Man. He found some faith in his time on earth. What about when he returns?

a.       What “faith” will the Son of Man be looking for, in light of this parable?

b.      How do we balance being faithful with asking for more faith?

Some of Jesus’ listeners were probably nodding and saying “God will find us faithful.” Read Luke 18:9-14

1.       Verse 9. Can we judge other people’s faith? Can we look down on anyone?

2.       Verse 10. Who would be a modern equivalent of a Pharisee?

a.       Who would be a modern equivalent of a tax collector?

b.      Where do we fit in?

3.       Verse 11-12. What might be an equivalent prayer today?

a.       Do we thank God for the sins we don’t commit?

b.      Should we thank God for keeping us free from temptations that trouble other people?

c.       What was the Pharisee doing wrong?

4.       Verse 13. What was the tax collector doing wrong?

a.       What was he doing right?

b.      What right things outweigh our sins?

5.       Verse 14. How do we balance confession with believing we’re forgiven?

6.       How should we balance our prayers?

a.       And how should we protect ourselves from praying like the Pharisee?