Never Give Up – The Presidential Prayer Team

He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. – Luke 18:1

Winston Churchill is reported to have spoken at a boys’ school in central London in the autumn of 1941. During his remarks, he stated, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.“ In recounting the parable Jesus told about the persistent widow in today’s passage, the focus is most often on prayer. This is a tool the believer should always employ. However, Jesus also uses the word “AND” when He says not to lose heart, and not to give up.

It can become tiring and difficult when you are doing what the Lord has asked of you. God has directed you to not give up your faith under any circumstances, regardless of the pain, cost, self-sacrifice, or suffering. Consider the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned, repeatedly flogged, stoned, shipwrecked, suffering cold and sleepless nights, hungry and thirsty, and even fighting off snakes. Yet, through it all, he knew the presence of God, and could say with confidence, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

How is your faith today? Have you thought of giving up? Whatever your circumstances, repeat the promise of Romans 8:28, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Do not lose heart. Look at your problems through the prism of God’s love for you, pray, and receive strength from Him.

Today’s Verse: Luke 18:1

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: John 16:25-33

²⁵“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; ²⁷for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

²⁹His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! ³⁰Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” ³¹Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³²Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. ³³I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”