Jesus’ parable on persistent prayer

Jesus told the parable of the widow and the unjust judge to show how we need to keep on and on, praying and believing in God.

Once upon a town there lived a judge who gave God no respect and did not care for people.

Once upon that same town lived a widow who kept on and on, coming to the judge to make things right between her and an enemy.

At first, the judge did nothing to help, but when
the woman kept on coming he thought about it again
and said, “Even though I don’t fear God or care
about people, maybe I’d better give this person
what’s right and just – just to get her to stop
pestering me!”

And Jesus went on to say:

Listen!
God will always give what’s right
to people who cry to Him day and night!
So, no, God won’t be too slow.

I tell you, God hurries to help you
who believe and yet….

When the Son of Man comes again,
will He find faith on the earth?

Thought: That last verse has seemed to me to be the most chilling in the Bible: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” And I wondered if that meant, no! But maybe Jesus was saying something else. Maybe He was turning the illustration around to show that we are the unjust judges!

We act unjustly toward God whenever we disbelieve the goodness of God.

We act like an unjust judge toward other people when we don't care enough to even bother to pray.

Prayer: Oh, LORD God, help our unbelief! Help your people to believe more and more in Your kindness, Your goodness, Your mercy, Your ongoing love. Help us to see how much You care and to show Your caring in our lives. Thank You for hearing our prayers and giving us what’s best. Thank You for Your verdict in Jesus' Name.

©2013, Mary Sayler, prayer-a-phrase of today’s Daily Bible Reading from Luke 18:1-8

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Persistent prayer and our persistently loving God

In Luke 18, Jesus told His followers a parable to illustrate the need to pray and pray without getting discouraged.

“And Jesus said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who showed no respect to God nor to people. In that same city lived a widow, who kept coming to the judge and saying, “Grant me justice against my foe!” But the judge did not. Finally though, he realized that, even though he had no fear nor reverence for God or mankind, this woman would keep on pestering him until he gave her justice, and so he did.’

“Then Jesus said to His followers, ‘Pay attention to what the unjust judge realized then you will realize this: God will defend and protect His children, who cry to Him day and night. God will not delay help but will surely defend and protect and grant you justice. But, let Me ask you this: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8.

Question: What hinders your prayers or discourages you most often? What do you believe God wants you to do – or not do – about any personal triggers for discouragement? In what way(s) was the widow's persistency an act of faith in justice? In what way(s) does prayer persistency show an act of faith in God and in ourselves as His children?

Personal Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father and Most Merciful Judge, we thank You that You can always, always be trusted to listen, hear, care, love, and render a fair, just, loving, kind, and wise decision as You answer our prayers with “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait!” Thank You for knowing and doing what is best for us. And, O LORD, please, please let there always be faith on earth in the Whole Church Body of Christ and also in me, Your child, in Jesus’ Name.

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© 2012, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved, but if you’ll acknowledge this site, you’re welcome to pass it on! May God bless you and your prayer life in Christ and the Church.

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