Keep on praying
Today's focusThrough the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus teaches that we should always pray and not lose heart, because God is far more just and caring than the unjust judge.
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 one specific reason: so that you will "always to pray, and not to faint." Life can be difficult, and when you face an "adversary" or a situation that feels unfair, it is easy to lose heart. You may feel like the widow in the story, crying out for help while it seems nothing is changing. Even when God appears to "bear long" with you, this passage encourages you to keep coming to Him.
The heart of this lesson is a contrast. If a judge who "feared not God, neither regarded man" eventually listened because a widow was "continual coming," how much more will your Father respond to you? God is not like the unjust judge who only helps to avoid being troubled. He is a just God who hears "his own elect" as they "cry day and night unto him."
Your persistence in prayer is not about begging a reluctant ruler, but about trusting a loving God. When you feel weary, remember that He promises to "avenge them speedily." Jesus asks if He will find faith on the earth; you show that faith every time you choose to pray instead of giving up.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What prayer have you grown tired of praying, and how does this parable encourage you not to give up?
Pray
Lord, sometimes I grow weary of praying and waiting. Thank you that you are not like the unjust judge — you care and you hear. Give me faith to keep praying and not lose heart.