Three Answers to Prayer, Yes, No, Wait. Part [10] 07/16/2026 (Morning thought)

Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, avenge me of my adversary.

In other words, she has an axe to grind, some issue that needed redress, some person, who apparently had made her life bitter. Just because you believe in God, and are a Christian, does not mean that from time to time, you wouldn’t have an axe to grind with someone or some company, or with some church. There are times when even among brethren, there are matters that need to be resolved, issues, which if left to foment could cause a root of bitterness to spring up, whereby many might be defiled.

Thus, if, and whenever this is the case, the best thing to do is to take it to the Judge for redress. In cases where the Christian has an axe to grind, the Judge should be Jesus, and all grievances, insults or injustices, should first be taken to Him in prayer, for redress, and if He directs us to a human agent, then we should follow His directives. Too often we find ourselves seeking redress without the Judge and whenever this is the case persons are almost sure to make blunders in judgement.

In the parable, the widow doesn’t get immediate answers, but she persists patiently, until an answer is given. The parable actually provides two of the 3 answers mentioned in the title of the study, and the third one will come in the form of a No. Therefore, let us start with the answer we most love to hear, a Yes. There is no doubt that ‘Yes” is our favorite answer. For healing? Yes! For wherewithal to pay bills? Yes! For anything and for everything we ask God for, our favorite is Yes.

Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Three Answers to Prayer, Yes, No, Wait. Part [9] 07/16/2026 (Evening thought)

1st John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 15 And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

This leads us to another passage which deals with the issue of prayer requests, for we previously read of the words: “Whatsoever” and “Anything” but the next passage adds another dimension, because it says that “Anything” and “Whatsoever” should be in harmony with God’s will, in order for the request to be granted, in most cases. This is very important too, for our will should be in subjection to God’s will.

And if for any reason there’s a difference between the two, the person who is making the request should defer to God. This leads us into the study for today which will be the springboard for all prayer requests. It has to do with the parable of a widow, who had some issue to be addressed by a local judge. She then pressed her petitions to the judge in question, until she got an answer.

For purposes of this study, we will place her outside of the judge’s door, where she remains, persistently asking for redress, and not giving up until she hears a definite word from the judge. She knocks, and she keeps on knocking until the answer is given.  Luke 18:1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!