And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:1–8
The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge is part of a series of illustrative lessons Jesus Christ used to teach His disciples about prayer. The lesson shows the disciples that they should always pray and never give up. The needy widow consistently went before the judge to plead her case, and the judge would ignore her. One day he finally gave in. His words, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming”. He gave her justice because he found her to be a bother.
Many of you may have been seeking God for a while about a particular issue. You have been knocking on His door and you’ve gotten no answer, and you’ve probably thought about giving up, but I dare say to you, PRESS IN! Press in like that widow! Keep on seeking and knocking until God opens up that door to you. For “will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” Stay in the place of prayer and do not lose heart! God wants us to remain faithful in the place of prayer; never-ceasing, persistent prayer. Effective prayer requires tenacity and faithfulness, and it never gives up! It is based on absolute trust and faith in God. You can fully count on the Lord to answer when, where, and how He chooses.
Tip for today:
Start a prayer journal. A prayer journal gives you a private space to pour out all your thoughts, feelings and heart cries to the Lord. It’s also a good way to help you keep track of your prayers.
Prompt for today:
What have you been praying about for a while and you have yet to receive an answer/breakthrough? Talk to the Lord about it. Don’t forget to record this prayer in your prayer journal.
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Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.