Pray for Solution!
Thank you Akwasi and ….. we shall at a look at your drama from biblical point of view…. Basing it on Luke 18:1-8

Please turn your bibles with me to Luke 18: as I read the 1^st 8 verses… shall we listen to the word of God!

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'”

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Theme: Pray for solution.

Main Pt 1:   From whom do you seek help?

1. From man
2. From God

Main Pt II:   Solution to your problem?

1. Man will disappoint you
2. God will redeem you

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ to you all. Amen.

In our text for today:

There was a woman who had a challenge with her neighbour and she was looking for solution by reporting the case to a judge….

Obviously, this ungodly judge cannot help her. This judge had no solution.

Because he cannot help this poor widow, he schemed to give a solution which will prevent the woman from coming to disturb him…

In today’s life, we are faced with many life challenging issues such as:

• Marriage life
• Peer and Family pressures
• Business and work place challenges
• Health and financial challenges
• In fact; the list goes on and on……you name them!

My dear,

• Are you a worker who is finding yourself to be laid off during the next restructuring exercise?
• A you suffering a painful disease that Doctors cannot diagnose?
• Is your family’s business or your church’s financial resources going waste because of the world economies and values change?

The truth is Man will always fail you! Man will frustrate you!  Man will only give you temporal solution! And the irony is such solution will only compound your problems.

In circumstances where things in our life start getting out of control?

We think of what to do? whether to fight or to flee, to stand firm or to give way?

My dear listeners: In the middle of life’s ugliness, sadness and hopelessness all things seem lost. We feel as if we are kidnapped by Satan; and in our fears and desperation for help, we unconsciously make ourselves slaves to him and his ways… we become tools he uses and tossed about!  …just like the ungodly judge planned doing to the woman in our Text. Luke 18:5

This is the world we leave in…. full of troubles and unjust people!

Dear listener: in the mist of challenges…. Go to the Bible, and do what it says:

Please take your Bibles and turn to 1 Tim 2: I will read the 1^st 5 verses

“I urge supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings to be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;     Praise God!

My dear one: in the face of all calamites you can trust God and His word. God is clear in our Text today thus: Luke 18: 7 that He hears the prayers of those who call upon Him and trust Him in all circumstance.

Don’t doubt but believe! God has assured us throughout the Bible: that He is a prayer answering God.

To mention a few examples:

• Abraham prayed to God and He saved his nephew Lot;
• Sarah prayed to God and He granted her a son. (Isaac);
• David prayed to God and He forgave him his sin;
• Daniel prayed to God in the lion’s den and God protected him from the lions.
• Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego prayer to God in the burning furnace and they never got burnt

This wondrous God is the one I am talking about., He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! He is a prayer answering God!

Pray to God through our Savior and mediator… the God-Man (Jesus Christ!)
Jesus will surely listen to you and answer you…
Jesus will meet you at the point of your needs, without failing!
Jesus will give you the best solution: an everlasting solution which will keep you coming to Him again and again.

The gracious news for those who believe and trust in God, is that Even when our strength to pray is gone, the Holy Spirit of God Himself intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8). … Alleluia!

Dr. Martin Luther of blessed memory captured this kind of assurance and confidence in his hymn:

“A Mighty Fortress is our God.”

“A sword and shield victorious. He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious.”   The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord!

God’s only son, adored!   He holds the field victorious. ”

God is work things well for you, no matter the circumstance. God through the victory of Jesus Christ His Son; assures us that even if we lose everything and everyone, even our own lives; nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8).

Faith in Jesus is the source and the strength of our prayers. In other words: Trust in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is what enables us to prayer.

When we are weak; Jesus stands with us; when we can no longer carry on, Jesus carries us in His saving arms. This same Jesus will carry us to life eternal with Him.

The Apostle Paul boldly invites people to pray at all times, in all places because the God who hears us is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises are sure.  We are to offer prayers for all people and governments, flowing from believing hearts which know and trust that Jesus Christ is in control of all things.

The joy of that hope enables us to look at life threatening situations and sing the hymn:

• “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
• When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;
• Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
• It is well, it is well with my soul.”

In the most impossible circumstances, God’s people can keep calm and pray  because it is one of God’s gifts to us that flows from faith in His Son Jesus. When calamity strikes, we can rest in the enduring hope and healing of God’s kingdom.

When life is most difficult, whether at work or at home or even at church, God’s gift to us is prayer.

Phil 4:6 & 7
Do not be anxious for anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God…. Amen!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting…..Amen!