One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man[a] returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
-Luke 18:1-8 NIV
Recently, I read this passage of scripture in my personal time of Bible study and prayer, and found myself having a big AHA moment! Jesus told this particular story to his disciples, and the author gives us insight into Jesus’ reason: He wanted to emphasize the importance of prayer and persistence.
Often we view these as two individual and distinct aspects of the Christian life. In reality, prayer and persistence go hand-in-hand. In fact, I would dare to say that the only way to be the kind of disciple who doesn’t quit on things when it gets hard is to be the kind of disciple who is persistent in their prayers.
If we can be persistent in prayer; we will persevere in life.
And the ones who overcome opposition, are the ones who keep on praying.
Notice what is not in the text: Jesus didn’t teach his disciples that the one who keeps trying to overcome personal injustice on their own is finally rewarded. No, it’s the person who won’t stop praying.
The Lord desires us to become people of prayer, not just people who occasionally pray. A disciple of Jesus doesn’t view prayer as an afterthought or a last resort when things get really bad. Instead, prayer is daily, constant and a priority. We want to talk to God; we want to seek Him; we want His leading and power at work in our lives and the lives of those around us!
Let’s make it personal: Where do you need God to intervene in your life? Pray. Every day. Whenever you think about these things that are weighing you down or worrying you… pray. Pray in the morning. Pray at your lunch break. Pray on the drive home from work. Pray in the evening. Rally your friends and family to pray with you. Pray and keep on praying. Know that the Lord is pleased with your persistence, and that in His time and in His way, He will answer you.
Here’s a simple prayer you can pray that I jotted in my Seek First Journal in response to my time of reflection in Luke 18:
Lord,
I love you! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Be exalted; be lifted high! You are worthy of all the praise and all the glory! Make me into a person of prayer. May I seek You, cry out to You, and worship You every day with a heart of trust and obedience. Help me have full and undivided faith in You. You are just. You are faithful. You are good. I bring my needs to You. I long for Your ways and Your Kingdom come!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
*This reflection comes from my own time in the Word while completing the Seek First Journal. Click here to learn more