The screech of a dial-up modem, a full minute of waiting to connect, pages loading at a crawl, a quarter century ago waiting was simply normal; today artificial intelligence shortens an article for us in seconds. Yet there is no app for forgiveness, for a loved one’s recovery, or for the end of a war, and waiting for God to act is hardest of all. This sermon returns to Jesus’ surprising parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow (Luke 18), a story that at first glance sounds anything but comforting. Listen to how Jesus turns discouragement into persistent prayer that becomes a way of life.
When Waiting Wears You Out
Teach Us to Pray
Of all the spiritual practices the disciples could have asked Jesus to teach them, they chose this one: prayer. Jesus himself not only taught them how to pray, but through stories and parables he showed how humble and persistent prayer can change reality. “Breaking through to heaven”, that’s how John Ortberg described prayer, and that’s what we’ll seek to learn alongside Jesus’ disciples during Lent.
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15 sermons
