*Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, 'Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!'” And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"* *One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.' I tell you; even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"* "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." In the world of business, as in life, challenges arise that test our resolve and faith. It’s during these moments that persistence becomes our guiding beacon, and seeking God’s guidance becomes essential for navigating uncertain paths. In the hustle and bustle of building a kingdom business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by challenges and decisions. Yet, scripture encourages us to persistently seek God's guidance and trust in His timing. In Luke 18, we find the parable of the persistent widow who repeatedly approaches a judge seeking justice against her adversary. Though the judge is unjust and indifferent, he finally grants her request due to her persistent efforts. Jesus uses this story to illustrate the power of persistent prayer and the certainty of God’s justice. Unlike the unjust judge, God is compassionate and quick to respond to His children. This parable urges us to be relentless in our prayers and in our pursuit of divine assistance, reminding us that perseverance in faith leads to breakthrough. Both passages emphasize the importance of seeking God earnestly. In Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray and underscores the importance of persistence with the promise that those who ask shall receive, those who seek shall find, and to those who knock, the door shall be opened. Similarly, Matthew 7 encourages us to approach God with confidence and trust that our Heavenly Father will provide good gifts to those who ask. This principle is particularly encouraging for Kingdom Business Builders. Whether it's making decisions about your business or facing financial challenges, God calls us to seek Him diligently, trusting that He will open doors and provide wisdom beyond our understanding. While persistence is crucial, it is equally important to leave our concerns in God's hands. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. By relinquishing control and allowing God to lead, we open ourselves up to His perfect will, timing, and blessings. The essence of these scriptures is to inspire us to continuously seek God’s wisdom and leave our worries in His hands. Our endeavors should be underpinned by a steadfast belief that God knows the best path for us. He encourages us to be diligent, to pray without ceasing, and to trust His plans. In doing so, we place our trust not in the uncertainty of circumstances, but in the certainty of God’s promises. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unwavering love and guidance. Thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Help us to be persistent in our prayers, trusting in Your divine guidance and timing. In moments of doubt, may we remember Your teachings. Teach us to release our burdens to You, confident that Your plans are greater than ours. Help us to persistently seek Your wisdom in all our endeavors and trust that You hold our future in Your hands. Grant us the patience and perseverance to follow Your path. In Jesus' name, Amen. Building a kingdom-focused business requires more than just skill; it demands faith. By persistently seeking guidance from God, we align ourselves with His divine wisdom and plan. Leaving our concerns in God's hands allows us to find peace, knowing He guides every step.Key Scriptures
Main Message
The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
Seeking and Knocking (Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 7:7-12)
Leaving it in God's Hands
Prayer
Conclusion
Questions for Reflection