Do not give up
Today's focusJesus tells of a widow who keeps coming to an unjust judge, to teach that we should always pray and not lose heart, because God cares for those who cry to him.
Read
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Reflection
Jesus tells this story for a specific purpose: "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Life often feels like the situation of the widow, who stands before a judge who has no fear of God and no regard for people. You may feel small or unheard as you face your own adversaries, and it is easy to become weary when your requests seem to go unanswered "for a while."
However, this parable encourages you to keep coming to God. If even an unjust judge responds because of a widow’s "continual coming," how much more will your Heavenly Father respond to you? Jesus assures you that God hears His own who "cry day and night unto him." While it may feel as though He bears long with you, He is not like the heartless judge. He is attentive to your voice.
Do not lose heart in your journey of prayer. Jesus asks if He will "find faith on the earth" when He returns. By refusing to give up, you demonstrate that faith. Trust that God cares for you and will "avenge them speedily." Keep bringing your needs to Him today.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What prayer have you been tempted to give up on, and what would it mean to keep bringing it to God?
Pray
Lord, you are not like the unjust judge; you hear your people who cry to you day and night. When I am tired of praying, strengthen my faith. Help me not to lose heart.