Prayer and Perseverance

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a parable about a selfish judge and a widow who needed help. It is a story that teaches us about the importance of persevering in prayer and faith.

The judge was only concerned about himself. He didn't care about the problems of the widow. The widow kept coming to the judge and asking for him to intervene in her situation. He was the only chance she had of getting the help she needed. Because of her perseverance, the judge finally decided to act so that she would leave him alone. 

The parable is one of contrast. Unlike the judge, God is not unjust or unrighteous. He is interested in our problems and needs, not bothered by them. Jesus told His disciples, Your Father will act even though it may take some time. 

Delay is part of prayer. Many times answers do not come quickly or easily. Why does God sometimes delay an answer to our prayer? Sometimes God is trying to teach us patience and strengthen our faith (James 1:3-4). Perhaps He is trying to teach us to be grateful (1 Thes 5:18). Maybe God has something better in mind. Consider how Jesus delayed arriving in Bethany when Lazarus was sick (John 11:14-15). Other times delay in prayer is without explanation (Job 40:1-5). 

We can experience the temptation to give up when we don't feel that our prayer is being answered. Like the disciples, we struggle to pray as we ought. Our impatience is a factor -  we aren't used to waiting. We have full schedules and busy lives with little time for prayer. We live in a materialistic society that values the hear and now and things that are easily observed. Sometimes we don't pray because we do not think we need to. We are self-reliant and self-sufficient, very different from the widow in Jesus' story. Of course, sin will hinder our prayers. A person can also allow tragic circumstances in life to discourage them to the point that they stop praying. But Jesus' parable follows His teaching on what His followers will experience before His second coming. Life will not be easy. Sin will be prevalent in the world and judgment will come. But Jesus says, Keep praying like the poor widow who came to the judge.

So whether you have prayed for change in circumstances, a wayward son or daughter, or for a lost loved one to be saved, remember the words of Jesus: we ought to always pray and not to faint. Trust God when difficulty arises, don't let your faith waiver, and continue to persevere.​