Read Luke 18:1-8
Have you ever felt like your prayers were just bouncing off the ceiling? Have you ever prayed for something over and over again, only to have that prayer remain unanswered by God? I think we have all felt discouraged in our prayer lives at some point. That's why I love this parable. It offers great encouragement for those who are weary in their prayer lives and feel that God has forgotten them.
In verse 1, we read that this parable was told so the people would learn that, "at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart." Christians must persevere in prayer, even when they don't see immediate results. We must trust God to answer our prayers according to His will and in His perfect timing.
In this parable, a widow was in need of help. Widows are characteristic of people who are needy, alone, vulnerable, helpless, and afflicted. This poor widow persistently went to ask a judge for help, over and over again. This judge was not a God-fearing man, and he did not care about people; therefore, he continually denied this poor woman’s cry for help. However, because the widow was so persistent in her request to him, he eventually gave in and granted her appeal in the end.
When you compare this scenario to a Christian’s prayer life, you can see how God feels about prayer. We are like the widow; we are weak and in need of help. However, God is not like the judge in the story. While the judge was unkind and unrighteous, God is merciful and delights in showing compassion to the helpless. If the unrighteous judge eventually granted the widow’s persistent cry, of course our Lord will answer our cries! Psalm 145:18-19 says, “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
Believe this truth: God hears all of your prayers and will answer them in His time. Be encouraged by Jesus' words in Luke, and do not grow weary or lose heart! Persevere in your prayers to the Father, trusting Him to answer them. This parable ends with a challenge in verse 8, as Jesus asks, “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” When Christ returns, will you have given up on God? Or, will you be found to be a faithful and prayerful Christian, who demonstrates continual perseverance in crying out to God? I know which one I want to be!
