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?” (Luke 18:1-8)
This is a short parable that comes with its own explanation - “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The widow kept coming to the unjust judge (who didn’t fear God or care what people thought) and was rewarded for no other reason than her persistence.
It is true that a just and loving Heavenly Father promises more - but that isn’t the point of the story. It is that we should always pray and never give up - that we should keep coming to God with our pleas, as the widow did. Jesus thought it necessary to address the tendency that we have to pray for something once or twice or for a week or two - then give up.
Our prayer is an exercise of our faith. It isn’t only about the outcome - partly, it is about our coming to God over and over in dependence, waiting for Him. God hears. “Will he keep putting you off?” No. But it may take a while. And the answer might be hidden or unexpected for a long time.
Is there something you have given up on? Something you used to ask God for? Keep asking. Don’t give up. Wait on the Lord.
Action: Commit to asking God every day this week for something you need from him. Either something you used to ask Him for but just stopped asking - or something you have been afraid to ask Him for, perhaps.
“Lord, my just and righteous and loving Father and King of the universe, please grant me (_________) according to your will and grant me the faith and patience to wait for you to move.”