In Biblical Christianity we value the nuclear family – father, mother, and children all in the roles that God lays out for each person. The husband should love his wife as Christ loved the Church and laid his life down for her. The wife should respect her husband. The children obey and honor their father and mother. It is God’s great institution for love, security and peace – the best place to raise children who will love God and impact the world for Jesus Christ.
But, not everyone lives in this neat little packaged home. Some live in fractured homes, wishing things had gone differently. Others live alone because of natural separators like death and/or children growing up and leaving the nest.
In the biblical family, the husband and wife can stand together for their children, unified in prayer and sharing the various roles and responsibilities of the home. The husband and wife can utilize the power and authority from God to pray for their children together. When the husband chooses to follow the Lord and step into his God-given role as a spiritual leader of the home by loving his wife and children, powerful things happen. The children tend (statistically speaking) to do better in following the Lord and staying in church as they grow up, if their father models. If both parents attend church regularly, 75% of children continue to worship the Lord into adulthood.
See this article for more information on the influence of parents on their children’s faith. https://nickcady.org/2016/06/20/the-impact-on-kids-of-dads-faith-and-church-attendance/
But, what about those women who don’t have a husband to unite in prayer with? What about those who are unequally yoked with a non-believer, a lukewarm Christian, or even those who are widowed? What about the women who fear asking her husband to pray for something, because of the negative response? Well, Jesus once told a parable to highlight how God sees the prayers of a lonely woman – in this case a widow.
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
What a powerful parable! A widow, who would usually be poor and unable to provide for herself in the Ancient Middle East, is coming and pleading her case before an unjust judge. Remember this is an unjust, evil judge that Jesus tells about in the story. There is a reason Jesus uses that example. Let’s play this out.
The woman probably lives on next to nothing. The widow is being oppressed by someone most likely taking advantage of her financially. She needs repayment or legal protection. The evil judge keeps laughing it off and sending her away. And she keeps coming back. Every. Single. Day.
The judge is getting worn out. It’s wearing on him and irritating him to block the attempts of the widow to get justice. He admits he has no desire or “concern for the actual truth to come out. He has bigger fish to fry. I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” The unjust judge is selfish in his decision to fulfill her request for justice.
Jesus compared this situation to the Father God, who is on his throne! Unlike the unjust judge who answers selfishly and doesn’t care, God cares deeply. The woman alone has a Father in heaven who keeps a special eye on her situation. He watches over her and commands others in the church to take care of the widow and the orphan. He is ready to act and when he acts, he acts out of love and compassion for his child.
Jesus still shows us that we need to be persistent. Perhaps, think of a child who asks for something and the parent doesn’t fulfill the request right away. The child continues to ask and the parent happily prioritizes the request.
We don’t quite understand all of the factors that go into why our prayers don’t seem to be answered immediately. Perhaps there are ways that God is working behind the scenes, setting things into motion that we cannot see? Maybe in order for X prayer request to be answered, God has to orchestra Y first? Perhaps he needs to even orchestrate A, B and C first before X can be answered?
And let’s remember Daniel, who prayed and fasted for 21 days before he had a breakthrough where an angel came to him and said that his visitation was inhibited by the spiritual stronghold of the prince of Persia. So, God had set somethings into motion to answer Daniel immediately. But, the spiritual battle that was going on in the heavenlies kept him from getting the answer immediately.
Today, let us keep praying and not give up! God cares about those who are feeling discouraged and alone in their prayers. You aren’t alone.
Prayer Point-
Father in heaven, you are holy. I lift your name up. You are judge of all the earth. You see my situation. You know each of my children and grandchildren. (say their names) You know their struggles and you see each spiritual battle going on in their lives. You see what I cannot see.
I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, that you will send your angels to quickly move and fight the strongholds that are fighting against my children and grandchildren. I pray that you will command your angels concerning them (say the names). I pray that you bring resolution and breakthrough.
Hear my prayer. Your kingdom come, your will be done in my children and grandchildren as it is in heaven. (Pray this for each one.) On this earth, we are facing many troubles, but you say to take heart because you have overcome the world. I declare in Jesus name that you, Oh Lord have overcome the world and you will overcome the world’s influences over (name child).
Show yourself strong, Oh Lord! Hear my prayer. I thank you that you are just. I thank you for your heart that my children and grandchildren should walk in your ways.
I pray that you give them what they need today, financially and physically. Give them their daily bread with a double blessing and favor. I pray that wherever they go, they will see and bring the goodness of God to the glory of God.
I pray that my descendants will walk with God and walk in his powerful light and shine his light to the world.
Forgive my children and grandchildren for their sin. I know you are just. I pray your forgiveness will extend to them, Lord. I pray that the blood of Jesus will remove their sin and that they will turn to you in complete repentance.
I pray that (names) will walk in forgiveness toward those who have wronged them. I pray for you to uproot bitterness and resentment from (name). Bring the healing power of forgiveness to cover them completely and to heal.
Lead (name) not into temptation, but deliver (him/her) from the evil one! In Jesus’ name I pray that you will keep my children from dangerous and seductive situations that Satan would set up. I ask for you to pour your life over my children and shield them with a hedge of protection. I ask that Satan be barred access from destroying them or deceiving them. Fill them with truth. Send your Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to my child that he/she will know you better and see right from wrong. I pray that my child will know Christ in a deep and personal way, Lord.
I ask this all in your holy name, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen!
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