A study has revealed that 48% of Americans pray at least once a day. Most people pray for their own needs and even more pray for friends and family. Some people say they’ve prayed for a parking spot (7 percent), others for their favorite sports team to win a game (13 percent). Perhaps surprisingly, 21 percent of respondents in this study admitted they’ve prayed to win the lottery. Most people believe that God answers at least some of their prayers. Only 3 percent of those who pray say God answers none of them.

What should Christians ask God for and what prayer does he answer?

As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus teaches his disciples about being persistent in prayer. He tells the story of a widow who kept coming before a corrupt judge, demanding justice. Eventually, the judge granted her request. If a corrupt judge responds to the pleas of a lowly widow, how much more so will a good God grant justice to His people? 

Jesus’ parable on prayer immediately follows his teaching about the kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of Man. Because Jesus’ Second Coming is yet future, Christians are to faithfully endure by continually pleading with God in prayer, and he will give justice to them speedily. 

Since the days of the early church, Christians have pleaded with God in prayer that His kingdom come. So too, we should persistently pray for Jesus’ return, confident that He will answer the cries of His people.