“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 ESV).
Before Jesus even begins the parable of the persistent widow, Luke tells us His purpose for telling it. Jesus wanted His disciples to know the importance of prayer, especially in times of delay and discouragement. The instruction is twofold: we are to always pray and to not lose heart. The setting of the parable in the following verses reveals that Jesus is preparing His followers for a time of waiting, a season when justice seems delayed and answers seem far off.
In the parable that follows, Jesus paints a striking contrast between an unjust judge and our righteous God. The judge has no fear of God and no compassion for people, yet even he grants justice to the persistent widow—not because he cares, but because she keeps bothering him. Jesus isn’t comparing God to the judge as if they are alike; He’s contrasting them. If even an unrighteous man eventually responds to persistence, how much more will our loving and just Father respond to His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?
We often face situations where it feels easier to worry than to pray. When answers are delayed or circumstances don’t change, we can start to wonder if our prayers matter. But Jesus reminds us that persistent prayer is not about wearing God down—it’s about trusting Him enough to keep coming back. As a community of believers, let us encourage one another to keep praying, especially when an answer seems far away. Let’s resist the urge to give up. Let’s press into prayer, not as a last resort but as a first response. We may not always see immediate results, but we can be sure God hears us. Prayer keeps our hearts anchored in hope. Persistent prayer is faithful prayer.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we come to You today, admitting how easily we grow weary in prayer. Sometimes we get discouraged when we don’t see results or when the wait seems too long. Help us to remember that You are good, that You are listening, and that You act in perfect time. Teach us to always pray and to not lose heart. Strengthen us as a community to walk this path together—encouraging one another to stay persistent in prayer and faithful in hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.