不住祷告
路加福音十八章1至8节
1耶稣设一个比喻，是要人常常祷告，不可灰心。
2说：“某城里有一个官，不惧怕 神，也不尊重世人。
3那城里有个寡妇，常到他那里，说：‘我有一个对头，求你给我伸冤。’
4他多日不准。后来心里说：‘我虽不惧怕 神，也不尊重世人，
5只因这寡妇烦扰我，我就给她伸冤吧，免得她常来缠磨我！’”
6主说：“你们听这不义之官所说的话。
7神的选民昼夜呼吁他，他纵然为他们忍了多时，岂不终久给他们伸冤吗？
8我告诉你们：要快快地给他们伸冤了。然而，人子来的时候，遇得见世上有信德吗？”
信息分享
她很执着，但她的对头也同样执着，不住地烦扰她。那位对头是否是她的债主，或是收税人？还是谋算夺取她丈夫遗产的人？
寡妇通常都难有依靠，但那位审判官却没有体恤她的处境。也许，只有贿赂才管用。那么，她最终如何获得她所求的呢？就是单凭一颗坚持不懈的心。她不住哀求，直至那位审判官说：「好了，我答应妳的请求。」
主耶稣接着说：「一位不义的官，倘若也会因不住的哀求而答应，试想你们慈爱的天父会怎样做了。祂可能要你们等候，以晓得你们恳求的心是恒切的，也是诚挚的。神必应允你们的不住祈求，快快给你们成就。」
「快快」这个词并非表示你一呼求，神就立即答允。不错，神有时的确会很快答允；但另一些时候，我们虽然是按着神的心意祈求，但神仍然是迟迟不回应。神究竟等甚么呢？是祂的时间。当神的旨意与神的时间配合，神就会快快行动。你甚至会惊讶神竟然会那么快便行动。
基督最后那句话十分有趣。他问了一个问题：「当我回来的时候，会找到这样信心坚定、坚持祷告的人吗？」
这是一个值得我们深思的问题。你会怎样回答呢？假如基督今天再来，祂会看见你不住恒切祷告吗？
KEEP ON PRAYING
Luke 18:1-8
1 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?”
Message
She was a persistent woman, but there was another who was equally persistent. That was her adversary. Was he a debt collector? Or a tax-gatherer? Or perhaps someone who was trying to steal her late husband's land?
Being a widow she had little support and the judge was not impressed with her case. It could be that bribery was all that moved him. So how does she finally get what she wants? By sheer persistence. She came back time and time again until the judge said: 'All right I will do what you want'.
Our Lord went on to say: 'If a wicked human judge will respond like that, just think of what your loving heavenly Father will do. He may keep you waiting but it is only to be sure you are in earnest. God will answer your persistent prayers and he will do it quickly'.
The word 'quickly' may not mean that your first cry will be answered immediately. Sometimes it is. But there are times when we know God's will for a situation but the answer does not come. What is God waiting for? His timing. When God's will and God's time co-incide, he can act quickly. You might even be surprised how quickly and suddenly he does act.
Christ's final words are very interesting. He asks a question:
'When I come back, will I still find the same kind of persistent, faithful praying I am talking about?'.
That is quite a question. How would you answer it, realising the possibility of Christ coming today?