We must put to work the things we learned in the preceding parts of this school of prayer that we call “Prayer That Will Change The World.” So, let us realize that God often uses you to be the answer to a people for which you pray. Let us pray for Churches Let us pray [...]
We must put to work the things we learned in the preceding parts of this school of prayer that we call “Prayer That Will Change The World.”
So, let us realize that God often uses you to be the answer to a people for which you pray.
- Let us pray for Churches
- Let us pray for Businesses
- Let us pray for New Businesses
- Let us pray for New Churches that will be planted
- Let us pray for Schools
- Let us pray for Governments
A Monument Of Prayer
(Luke 18:1 – 8 NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
“Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, ’yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
“I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Here is a parable that was meant to be revealed to the children of God and yet stay as a mystery to those who do not have the ears to hear the voice of the Spirit of the living God. Prayer has to do with presenting ones self in the presence of a higher authority. Opening up communications, and even presenting facts and evidence, to receive justice that is due by right or by favor. To open up that communication status is to not only articulate your purposes but to ultimately hear from the Authoritative Party a word that is longed for. This parable is about just that.
First of all, we must see that Jesus in involved with “cities.” Over and over, the Word of God presents intercession on behalf of cities. Cities are covenant communities that were to be the possession of the King of Glory! Each city being a type and a shadow of the New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven. Each city, where we live is a kind of Jerusalem to each of us. When Jesus gave the promise of the Holy Spirit, He said that we would then be witnesses, (as those who give testimony on a witness stand), first in Jerusalem. Now I know that He was speaking literally of the very city of promise in which those disciples lived. But if we are to take hold of the spiritual promise in regards to the covenanted power and the person of the Spirit, then we must also hear the words of another “Jerusalem” which is where the Holy Spirit visits us, personally. We take this testimony of Jesus Christ from our Jerusalem, but first, “unto” our Jerusalem.
The judge of this parable is the system of the world’s justice. I’m not talking about the court system. I’m talking about the principle of worldly judging. Opinions, lusts, desires fears, and greed, all contribute to the establishment of the “unjust judge.” This judge’s character is shown in his lack of regard for either spiritual judgment from the high court of heaven, or even earthly judgment and the discerning between what is right and wrong. He judges according to what he feels is good for him.
Because his conscience is founded upon his selfish lusts and desires he, at first, has no regard for the case of the woman of prayer. This woman is the type of the Church. She is a widow. The “widow” is the bride of Christ, whose husband has died and left her His Kingdom to abide in on earth. Someone has usurped her authority over that kingdom. She cries out for justice.
There are two halls of justice being spoken of here: The world and the throne of grace. We are given secrets into our victories in both courts. In the worldly court, we must approach with our case being built upon the knowledge of the satisfaction of the selfish desire of the world. We must therefore station ourselves with a persevering stand, convincing the judge that you are not going to go away and that it behooves him to judge on your behalf in order to get rid of you.
In the second hall of justice, which is the throne of grace, we must approach that throne with faith, in order that the word of God might find faith, (literally, “the faith”), that will over ride the physical laws of the world. The result of judgment from this throne is a miracle from the righteous Judge.
When we approach the judge of the world, it may very well take some time. Being filled with the Spirit, the Spirit will produce His fruit to include patience, self-control, etc. When we have made our presentation successfully, the worldly parties will assume that you are not going to fly away or be discouraged in your plight. They will therefore be much more willing to give in to your request. There is no need to be unkind, nor should there be any lack of gentleness in our approach to the world. If we deal with them harshly, we will more than likely be treated harshly.
In similar likeness, we must approach the Righteous Judge before His throne of grace with faith, rather than persistence. The fact that His elect who cry out day and night to Him shows the eternal existence and importance of our words unto our heavenly Father! This is not a picture of repetitive prayers. It is eternal words that are held as a monument and treasured by God because of the ingredient of faith.
So then, we take our stand boldly with the world and show our immovable persistence! We also take our stand before the throne of grace with immovable faith, knowing that, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
With faith in operation our prayers become a monument in the courts of the Lord! Consider Cornelius:
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!’ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, ‘What is it, lord?’ So he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.’” (Acts 10:1 – 4 NKJV)
Cornelius became a model of giving and prayer for the Church. His praying brought about a visitation to his entire household. Was it worth his time and effort to show such diligence in giving and in praying? Can we see that the prayers of Cornelius became a memorial, or monument, before the Lord? From that very monument the Lord sent for the answer to his prayers and gave him a visitation of an angel, which precluded a visitation of an apostle! Wow! Cornelius establishes his life as a man of prayer and faith and result is a visitation of the kingdom of God to his household.
Let us become a model of prayer. Prayer for a lifetime.
