Luke 18:1-8 - Persist in Prayer

Prayer is perhaps the most central but a most neglected spiritual discipline in Christian living. William Carey said this, "Prayer - secret fervent prayer, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness." Some people pray because the matter is important. Others pray because it is their cultivated habit. And Jesus' parable on prayer in Luke 18:1-8 gives us one very good and impelling reason why we should persist in prayer. That is: God always hears and answers prayers. He said that we should never give up, no matter how bleak a situation may seem to be. We are to persist in prayer.  

The story tells of a defenceless widow in need of protection. One person whom she could go to was the judge of that particular city. Unfortunately for her, this judge had no fear for God and he had no concern for man. But this widow refused to sit still and do nothing, despite this disadvantage. She knew her rights and she kept coming to him for protection. Although this judge was at first unresponsive to her need, but finally did so because of her persistency. In verses 5-6, the unjust judge rationalized to himself. He concluded that she would wear him down with her persistency if he did not grant her the request. Logically, the only way to end what seems like an irritation is to grant her the request. And He did. Verses 7-8 is critical to our understanding. We need to know that this is a parable of contrast. Jesus is saying that God is unlike this judge. What he is, God is not. For he is unrighteous, whereas God is righteous. He is uncaring, whereas God is caring. He needed to be coerced into granting a request, whereas God would willingly answer our needs. The crux is this: If an unrighteous judge could be moved with persistency to right a matter, how much more would our God, the willing Judge. He would vindicate us and would also do so quickly.

In the light of His earlier teaching on His return, He then asked in verse 8, "...However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” The question the Lord asks us today is that same question. Will He find in us the same kind of persistent faith when He returns? How often do we pray? More specifically, how long do we stay in prayer? Have we tarry long enough, even when the answer seems long coming? Paul urges us to pray continually and to do so without ceasing. We have a caring Father so let's come to Him. For He knows our names. He knows our every thought. He sees each tear that falls. And He’ll hears us when we call