"Prayer never works, God doesn't like beggars." (Luke 18:1-8)

“Prayer never works, God doesn’t like beggars.”

This anonymous quotation was a comment posted after an internet news story requesting prayers for a family that had recently experienced the tragic loss of their father. The inherent contradiction struck me. This person acknowledges God and prayer but makes two sweeping statements that directed me to the Bible and seek the Truth.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.  And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)

Jesus Christ spent much time in prayer, continually seeking the will of God, His Father. He also spent much time with the poor and needy. As this parable beautifully illustrates, God hears the cries of His people who are downtrodden, and persist in prayer and supplication.

Prayer does work and God hears everyone, including beggars.

If we take the time to read the Bible and learn what God truly says about Himself and the world He created, we will understand that God’s plans for us are beautiful and perfect. We can chose to ignore Him or substitute our own views for who believe God is and what we think He wants us to do with our lives. In spite of this, God is always knocking on the door of everyone’s heart, seeking to come into our lives and give the gift of salvation to all who will confess and repent of their sins and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.