persistent prayer

Luke 18:1-5

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me."

Our Lent study series explores the Parables of Jesus to learn from the lessons our Lord and Savior taught. Last week, the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard showed that God’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. The “last” (latecomers, sinners) enter on equal footing with the “first” (early followers, the devout), upending worldly expectations. God rewards every believer equally.

Today we examine The Parable of the Persistent Widow. Jesus tells it to emphasize persistent prayer and not losing heart (Luke 18:1).

It features two main characters:

• An unjust judge who neither fears God nor respects people—he is indifferent to justice and morality.

• A persistent widow who repeatedly demands justice against her adversary.

Though the judge initially refuses, he eventually grants her request—not out of justice or compassion, but because her persistence annoys him. He concludes, “Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!” (Luke 18:5).

Jesus’ point: If even a corrupt, uncaring judge yields to relentless persistence, how much more will God—a just and loving Father—respond to the persistent prayers of His faithful people who cry out to Him day and night? The parable urges believers to pray with unwavering faith and perseverance.