Pray the WordSample

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Today's verse comes at the beginning of a parable from Jesus, and it clearly tells us the point of the parable: we “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” To illustrate this point, Jesus tells the story of an unjust judge who continually refused the requests of a widow asking for justice. Though the judge did not fear God or respect man, he eventually relented and granted the widow’s request, only because he was worn down by her persistence. How much more, Jesus asks, will God—who is perfectly just!—give justice to his people who continually cry out to him? (Luke 18:1–8)

This parable should give every follower of Christ confidence to persist in prayer and not lose heart. Unlike this unjust judge, our heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to his children. This is a truth we desperately need to be reminded of. I think about the times I have prayed and pleaded for something and it seemed as if God didn’t answer. I think about a message I received from a brother in Christ whose wife was struggling with cancer and they’ve been pleading day in and day out for this cancer to go away. But it doesn’t seem like God is answering. This is where the point of this parable is so powerful.

We ought always to pray and not lose heart. And why do we not lose heart? Because we know the character of the God whom we are praying to. He is wise. He is good. He is loving. He is perfect. He is sovereign. And so we can trust him, even when he doesn’t answer in the ways, or in the timeframe, that we would like. We can pray and not lose heart because we are holding fast to God and what he has promised in his Word. We know, for instance, that for those who love God, “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

God will glorify his name by providing for the ultimate good of his children. That’s reason enough to never lose heart in prayer.

Prayer

God, we pray right now specifically for things that we have been asking for over a long period of time. Based on this parable in Luke 18, we ask again. We ask for your provision, for your help, for justice, for mercy, for healing. And we ask for you to do what only you can do. We’re coming to you desperately, and we are praying with trust in who you are and what you have promised in your Word. Even when we don’t understand what you’re doing in our lives or in the world, would you work in ways that are good for us and glorifying to your name?

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Consummate your kingdom. Return, Lord Jesus, and assert your rule and reign over all. Bring a new heaven and a new earth. We’re going to keep praying that, and we’re not going to lose heart until the day we see your face. Lord, teach us to pray with persistence like the widow in this parable. Give us hearts that persevere in trusting you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This plan is adapted from David Platt's daily podcast titled Pray the Word. For this and other resources from Radical, go to radical.net