Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.”

Jesus taught us how to pray.  He prayed throughout his life and ministry.  He prayed with people and for people.  He prayed in crowds and by himself.

Paul reminds us to pray.  In his first letter to the Thessalonians he says “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances...”  He rephrases what Jesus told them in this parable; pray always and don’t lose heart.

I like to think I have a strong faith but when I look at my hope in prayer, I question myself.  I have seen the power of prayer; I have heard and read countless stories about the power of prayer.  Why do I come into prayer with only a part of me then?

James also tells us that we do not receive because we do not ask, or we ask for selfish gain.  Then there is the story in the gospel of Mark about a man asking Jesus to heal his child and he cries “help my unbelief!”

I need to delve in to prayer in a different and deeper way.  I continue to strive to pray without ceasing, to pray with hope and to seek the glory of the Lord rather than my own.  Another facet of this life-long journey...

Lord,

Help my unbelief!  I do not like to think I have unbelief but you know my heart better than I do, and you know there is self-doubt in my prayers.  Let these words of Jesus stay deep within me so that I hold on to them when I pray.  Keep all of these scriptures close to me, Thank you God!  Amen.