Luke 18:1
The purpose of this parable is to show that we should pray at all times and not faint.
Luke 18:2-8
“Will he find faith on the earth?” is in the context of praying at all times and not being faint.
Luke 11:1 – Teach us to pray
Luke 11:1-4 – Similar to the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13
Luke 11:5-8 – A similar example to Luke 18:1-8. Be persistent.
Luke 11:9-13 – We need to ask. We need to seek. We need to knock.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
Romans 12:12 – Devoted to prayer; KJV – “continuing instant in prayer.” The word “devoted” is the Greek word proskartereo. Some of the lexicon definitions for this are: to adhere to one, be devoted or constant to one, to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing, to continue all the time in a place, to persevere and not to faint, to show one’s self courageous for, to be in constant readiness for one, to wait on constantly.
Significance of the number “40” = a time of testing and trial, a time of renewal, a new generation
• Flood – 40 days and 40 nights – Genesis 7:12
• Moses in the mount 40 days – Exodus 24:18; Deuteronomy 9:9-11 (2nd time – Deut 10:10)
• Children of Israel searched the land for 40 days – Numbers 13:25
• Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness 40 years – Numbers 14:33; 32:13; Deuteronomy 8:2; Joshua 5:6; Psalm 95:10; Acts 7:36; 13:18; Hebrews 3:9
• First three kings of Israel (Saul, David, &Solomon) all ruled for forty years (Acts 13:21; 1 Kings 2:11; 1 Kings 11:42).
• Elijah fasted 40 days &40 nights – 1 Kings 19:8
• Jesus fasted for 40 days &40 nights – Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2
• Jesus walked around on the earth for 40 days after his resurrection, before ascending to God’s right hand – Acts 1:3
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