Pray and Don't Lose Heart (Luke 18:1-8) | Tim Stephens

This sermon examines Jesus' command to his disciples to always pray and not lose heart. Jesus teaches this lesson through the parable of the unjust judge. In this parable and drawing comparisons to our relationship with God, we learn four important principles that will aid us in coming to the throne of grace in our time of need.

[@Yesica1993]

I can't stand the "nicey-nice" approach of churches today! THANK YOU for your stand during Covid. Fairview and Gracelife and a few other places kept me sane during that hellish time. I was dealing with my dementia ridden mother at home. My church closed for a full year. When they reopened, they banned unmasked people for 1 week short of another year, until Chicago ended the mandates. I could not bear to go back there, knowing that just the week before, I was not wanted. I was alone for 2 full years. Looking back, I don't know how I didn't lose my mind. Maybe I did.
I lost all of my church friends. ALL of them, including families for whom I had babysat on a regular basis. Those kids long ago forgot who I even am. I've reached out a couple of times, but it's clear there's no interest anymore. It has left me broken.

[@Yesica1993]

1:07
Oh, I wish unanswered prayer had been addressed. The problem is, many times we don't know if something is God's will. That's why we're praying. And when you go YEARS with no change in the situation, I'm not sure how you can do anything but interpret that as, "The answer is NO." I've been out of full time work for over 10 years. I don't even look at the exact length of time anymore because it depresses me. I've given up*. This situation was helpful the 7 years we cared at home for my mother with dementia. And it's still helpful with all my father's medical appointments. I can't work because I have to deal with that. (*And yes, I looked and looked and looked for work. For years. It's not like I was just sitting around expecting a job to fall from the sky.)
I won't even get into praying for a family of my own. I've prayed for decades. I'm in my 50s now. It's never going to happen. I have to accept that. But I still cry out in a feeble hope that God would have mercy on me before my final parent dies and I am left alone forever.
I need a full time job. I work at home part time but it's barely enough. I want to be useful in this world. I want to use whatever intelligence/abilities God has given me, because I will be held to account for that! I have no future this way. I've given up hope. I can't see any way out of this house or this situation. I see no future for me. How many YEARS can I pray for the same thing and there's no change?

[@markfrass]

Hello

[@Yesica1993]

Oh am I the only one who can't hear it at all?

[@susanz632]

Audio needs help