Be Persistent in Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1 NIV)
Luke 18:2–5 is a record of Jesus’ parable of the unjust judge. There are two characters described in this parable. The first was a judge. Jesus described him as neither fearing God nor caring about what other people think. The second was a widow. Someone had taken advantage of her. And she was pleading with the judge for justice.
The judge initially refused to grant the justice she sought, likely wanting a bride from her. But she was persistent and eventually wore down the judge and received the justice she sought.
Jesus then compared God to this unjust judge. If even this unjust judge would eventually respond to the cries of those he had responsibility for, how much more will our loving Father respond to us? Jesus tells us that God will grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night — that he will not keep putting them off.
Jesus used this parable to illustrate persistence in prayer. Jesus tells us that we should always pray and not give up. And that God answers the prayers of those who cry out to him day and night. Whether you are praying for your own needs or interceding for others, especially for their salvation, be persistent.
Continue to lift your requests to God until you receive an answer. It may be immediate, or it may be delayed. But trust that God will respond when the time is right.
