Consistent prayer is one of the most important aspects of the Christian life. Through prayer, we draw close to God, speak with Him, listen for His voice, and place our trust in Him. Jesus understood how easy it is for people to become discouraged when answers seem delayed, and so He taught a powerful parable about persistence in prayer.
This parable is found in Luke 18:1-8.
The Parable
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 wear me out with her coming!’”
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?”
More Than Persistence
At first glance, this parable appears to be about persistence in prayer. Certainly that is part of the lesson.
The widow continued coming to the judge day after day. She did not become discouraged. She did not stop asking. She did not lose hope.
But Jesus ends the parable with a surprising question:
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
This reveals the deeper meaning.
The widow’s persistence was evidence of her faith.
She continued to seek justice because she believed justice would eventually come.
Her actions revealed what she believed.
God Is Not the Unjust Judge
It is important to understand that Jesus is not comparing God to the unjust judge.
The judge:
- did not fear God
- did not care about people
- acted reluctantly
God is the exact opposite.
Jesus is teaching that if even an unjust judge eventually responds, how much more will a loving and righteous Father hear the cries of His children.
God is not indifferent to our prayers.
He hears every prayer offered in faith.
Prayer Is More Than Asking
Many people think of prayer as simply bringing requests before God.
While prayer certainly includes asking, it is much more than that.
Prayer is communion with God.
It is a conversation.
It is the place where:
- we give thanks
- we worship
- we confess
- we seek His will
- we listen for His voice
Prayer is one of the primary ways we remain connected to God throughout our daily lives.
Faith While Waiting
One of the hardest parts of prayer is waiting.
Sometimes answers come quickly.
Sometimes they seem delayed.
The widow teaches us that faith continues even when the answer has not yet arrived.
Faith does not stop praying simply because circumstances have not changed.
Faith continues trusting.
Faith continues seeking.
Faith continues knocking.
Reflection for Today
When my prayers seem unanswered, do I become discouraged and stop praying?
Or do I continue coming before God with faith, trusting that He hears me even when I cannot yet see the outcome?
The widow’s persistence was not merely persistence for its own sake.
It was faith that refused to give up.
May we become people who pray continually, trust deeply, and remain faithful as we wait upon the Lord.