Persistent Prayer

 

     I can read your minds this morning. How many types of prayer can she find that begin with the letter “P”? I have not run out yet and this particular one surprised me. I hadn’t read this parable about the persistent widow in a while.

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 

     A widow in this parable returns to visit a judge, time after time, begging him to give her justice. The judge, after repeated visits from the woman, gives in and says a few strange things.

“Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think.” (v.4) and “I will see she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me.” (v.5)

     In one breath, he says he does not fear God or care what others think, and in the next verse we find he may not fear God, but he fears this widow. Maybe she had friends in high places? The point of the parable, I believe Jesus wants to share with us, is to keep our faith and be persistent in our asking. He continues:

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/” Luke 18:7

     You may be praying for the same things over and over again, for a certain situation to be over, for a loved one to be healed, for a job to be found, for a relationship to be renewed, for a child to become a believer. The list goes on. Today Jesus reminds us to keep praying. Don’t give up. Be persistent. Keep going to Him with your requests. He is listening. Faith pleases God. Believe He wants to give You what is good and pleasing in His sight.

Dear Father,

Thank you for the story of the persistent widow. We will keep coming to You with our requests, knowing You hear our pleas. Hear our voices today as we come back to you again. Here I am again, Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen