Always pray and do not give up

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable to teach His disciples that they should always pray and not give up. The parable is of a widow who petitions an unjust judge to grant her justice against her adversary. Although the judge dismisses her for some time, in the end he is worn out and accedes to her request. Jesus concludes that if the unjust judge is willing to hear the widow, how much more would God the Father listen to our pleas? Would He keep putting us off?

This parable was told right after Jesus told about the Coming of the Kingdom of God. The justice the widow is seeking is probably representing the ultimate justice the saints of the Lord are seeking (Revelations 6:9-11), the justice that will come about with the Second Coming of the Lord. But the persistent prayer that we are to raise to the Father without giving up or fainting or being discouraged is probably not just about the ultimate justice.

Jesus taught us to pray with confidence that our Heavenly Father would give us the good gifts that we ask for: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:7-12). Luke makes it clear that the good gift that Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13).

Lately, I have been praying for the Holy Spirit to be poured down on me and to empower me with His presence and His gifts. I have not felt that my prayers have been answered yet. Though the Holy Spirit certainly dwells in me and guides me, I am not experiencing His power in my life. At times, I even ask the question, "why is God putting off granting me the good gift?" Why, Lord, are you waiting?

Is it because God's time for me to be empowered with the Spirit has not come? I should nevertheless not despair, but persist in praying continually. Or, is it because I am not ready to be empowered by the Spirit? A new wine is not to be put into an old wineskin, but into a new one, so that it will not burst and be ruined (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37). Perhaps I need to become a new "wineskin." Perhaps I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind and offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2). My life must be a continual act of spiritual worship. But this transformation is also an act of the Spirit, not my own.

Lord, as you promised, I am seeking the good gift of the Holy Spirit and Your empowering presence in my life. Do not let me conform to the patterns of this world, but let me be transformed and be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You. Help me persist in praying without becoming discouraged. Lord, have mercy on me. In Jesus' name. Amen.