Daily EncouragementSample

This is the Parable of the Persistent Widow, sometimes called the Parable of the Unjust Judge. The persistence of the widow caused even the judge, “who neither feared God nor cared about men,” to respond to her plea.

It is a parable of contrast - “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones . . . Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly” (verses 6-8).

The point is clear. The call is to persistence in prayer. God is not like the unjust judge; God will not keep putting us off; God will act quickly. These facts, according to our Lord, do not reduce the need for persistence in prayer, but should rather encourage prayer.

“Quickly” is a relative term. It does not exclude our being taught “the patience of unanswered prayer.” Those who ask shall receive, but they have to keep on asking for all that. The Lord views persistent prayer as a key element in faith. The faithful always pray - they do not give up. And they are few. So Jesus wonders how much faith he will find on earth when he comes in his glory (verse 8).