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Luke 18:1-8
Jesus teaches a parable in this passage to be persistent in prayer and continue in it never giving up. Jesus uses a story of a widow who continually took her plea to a dishonest judge who could care less about her or her problems. However, even this dishonest judge would eventually give in to the persistent widow’s request.
Jesus teaches that if even this dishonest judge will eventually hear the request, how much more will God in heaven hear and respond to those who He loves so much. Jesus questions that when He returns, will He find faith that is persistent in prayer.
This is a command to continue in prayer always.
This is a promise that God does hear our prayers but will answer in His own timing.
This is a command to not lose faith, but to be persistent in it.
We should always bring our requests to God in prayer. These can be requests for help in time of need, or thanksgiving and praise for the blessings that God gives us (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2). We have a tendency to want God to answer our prayers immediately, but God knows best and His ways are above us (Isaiah 55:8-9). We do not or cannot understand the whole of God’s unfailing love in His ultimate plan of salvation for us. But Jesus teaches in this parable that God does love us, He does hear our prayers, and He does desire that we remain persistent in our prayers to Him. This requires our faith to grow and become stronger and stronger in our relationship with Him. That is truly what God is seeking from us, that we are continually seeking to draw closer and closer to Him.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this lesson in being persistent in prayer. We are impatient with our requests, and we ask of Your forgiveness for this. Please plant within us that You do hear our prayers and that it is such an important part of our relationship with You each day. Please help us to be patient and wait for Your guidance through Your Holy Spirit as we, through our salvation in Your Son Jesus, draw closer to You each day. In Jesus name I pray, amen.