Text: Luke 18:1–8
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
CAUSES OF SPIRITUAL FAMINE: Prayerlessness and Carnality
Memory Verse: Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
One of the greatest causes of spiritual famine is prayerlessness and carnality. Prayer is the lifeline of every believer, the channel through which we draw strength, direction, and intimacy from God. When prayer ceases, the spirit starves, and the soul begins to wither. A prayerless life is a powerless life.
In Luke 18:1, Jesus teaches that “men ought always to pray and not to faint.” This means that when we stop praying, our faith begins to faint. Prayer is not a religious duty but a spiritual necessity. It keeps the heart alive and connected to divine power. Without prayer, our spiritual senses grow dull, and we lose the awareness of God’s presence.
James 4:3–4 explains that carnality, the pursuit of worldly pleasures also contributes to this famine. When our desires shift from pleasing God to satisfying the flesh, prayer becomes dry or absent. Romans 8:6 says, “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” A carnal mind cannot sustain prayer, because it resists the Spirit.
Prayerlessness breaks communion with God. It cuts off the flow of divine strength and guidance, leaving the believer spiritually empty. When there is no prayer, the heart becomes cold, sin gains access, and the enemy advances unopposed. Jesus warned His disciples in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Prayerlessness exposes us to temptation and weakens resistance to sin.
Carnality thrives when the flesh rules over the spirit. Galatians 5:17 reveals that the flesh and the Spirit are constantly at war. A believer who neglects prayer will soon yield to fleshly desires, losing spiritual discernment and passion for the things of God. The result is dryness, a famine of divine presence.
To overcome this, you must restore your altar of prayer. Spend time daily in sincere fellowship with God. Let your spirit be soaked in worship, intercession, and thanksgiving. Prayer rekindles spiritual fire, restores vitality, and revives your relationship with God.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 30: SS&S 902: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
- My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
- When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
- His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay - When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, revive my prayer life and deliver me from every form of spiritual laziness and distraction.
- Father, ignite fresh fire on my altar of prayer; let my heart thirst for Your presence daily.
- Lord, restore the prayer altars of families, churches, and nations; let a fresh spirit of intercession sweep across Your people.
