By Howard Eyrich

Editor’s Note: In today’s blog, Dr. Howard Eyrich makes some observations from Jesus’ lesson to the disciples on how to pray. When life gets hard and you do not know specifically what God is doing in a particular situation, Jesus invites us to pray. I believe this is a timely lesson worth considering and remembering. Thanks my friend for sharing it.

 

How To Pray When Life Gets Tough

Luke 18

Throughout this third year of “seminary” Jesus is very consciously teaching a series of lesson plans. Sometimes he states the lesson objective as he does on this occasion, other times the plan emerges as you study the passage. In verse one he states this lesson plan: “Now He was telling them a parable to show them that all the times they ought to pray and not lose heart….”

 

Pray persistently, insistently (Luke 18:2-8)

Remember, parables have a main point and the details simply facilitate the story. The main point here is the challenge to pray persistently and insistently. That does not mean that we demand of God that He do things our way. He is not a genie in the jar who awakens when we rub it and carries out our command. Sometimes when we pray the answer comes in changing our desire; sometimes the answer is delayed for our benefit. Sometimes the judgment of the offender is postponed because our Father is working out His Providence in him and us.

 

Pray humbly (Luke 18:9-14)

The second component of this lesson plan is the instruction to pray humbly. It takes choosing to be humble when God delays, as we see it, in answering our prayers. Jesus tells a second story to illustrate what humility looks like and what it does not look like.

This story contrasts two men. The Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee comes to prayer arrogantly. In his recitation he presents God three rationales of why God should answer his prayer and justify him. First, his religion—good works. Second, his position—outstanding Jewish citizen. Third, a record of self-righteousness—I keep the rules.

The tax collector brings nothing but his sin and throws himself upon the mercy of the Judge. Peter heard this teaching and some years later he would write, “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you are the right time” (I Pet 5:6). Even though we are born again, children of God and joint heirs with Jesus, He is God, and we are his children. We are invited to the throne of grace, but we must come humbly to our Father, not like the prodigal who came demandingly to his father.

 

Pray child-like (Luke 18:15-27)

Whether the Lord providentially orchestrated this scene or simply took advantage of it is not our concern. Whichever the case, he uses it to further his teaching plan; that is, to teach the disciples that another dimension of humility is faith. It is coming to God as these and other children respond to God. When a child is 3-, 4-, 5-years-old and you tell him or her the gospel story, then he or she responds in belief – this child has taken God at his word.

Again, there is someone in the listening audience who asks a question that sets up Jesus making his point. Similar to the Pharisee, this young man comes bringing faith and works. When he addresses Jesus as “good teacher” he is expressing faith. I believe you are who you say you are. Jesus clarifies it for him to be sure he has the full grasp—no one is good but God, so you realize in calling me good teacher you are recognizing my claim to be God. So, here is the answer: since you know the commandments, do them. Jesus lists them leaving out “Do not covet”. The young man replies in pride, “all these I have kept from my youth up.” Upon his answer, Jesus answers his question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life.” Go and sell your riches and give them to the poor. Jesus exposes his sin of covetous.

The young man went away sad for he was rich. The point is this. What you must do to inherit eternal life is never sin. You must have the faith of a child, humble yourself and pray as did the tax collector.

This stirs the inner circle of the twelve disciples who have laid aside the normalcies of life to follow Jesus these three years. Peter responds with this statement of verse 28. It is not a question; it is a statement. We have been like children and we have humbly followed you. Jesus responds by giving them hope (29-30). There will be reward beyond your comprehension.

 

Pray for spiritual sight (Luke 18:31-43)

Jesus now announces rather straight forwardly to the twelve that what they can soon expect to happen (31-33). Their response was no response. They did not understand what he was telling them.

Again, Jesus captures an opportunity to teach this fourth lesson on prayer. A blind man seeks him out. Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (41). “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” (42). Now it is interesting that this blind man once saw and what he desired was to regain his sight.

This would be the disciples following the passion week. They had sight as they were walking with him. Peter had declared, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of Man!” However, we find them confused and frustrated following the crucifixion and even after the resurrection. Jesus is hearing teaching through this incident what they must do when confused or not understanding what God did or is doing or did not do.

 

Our Lessons on Prayer

The lessons on prayer that Jesus is teaching the disciples are lessons for all disciples. What he is teaching them and us is this: When you become blind, and when life is tough and confusing, then pray for spiritual sight.

We must choose to humble ourselves and follow Him even when life gets tough.

Just like these disciples, Jesus does not want us to lose heart. We can pray for insight to understand and walk by faith even when (or especially when) we do not understand why or what God is doing.

 

 

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