Persistence In Prayer

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2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?" (Luke 18:2-7)

In an effort to teach his disciples to persist in prayer, Jesus told them a story about a widow who was unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. Jesus provided no details about the woman's case but, by identifying her as a widow, we understand that she would have been seen as powerless. Yet, whatever she lacked in social clout she made up for with her tenacity. Her incessant spirit didn't just wear down the judge's resistance, it caused him fear - in some translations he feared for his safety and in others he feared for his reputation. Despite the judge's lack of care for this woman, or for pleasing God, he relented and gave the widow the justice she sought.

Jesus was not comparing God to the heartless judge. He was encouraging his disciples, and us, that if the corrupt powers of this world can be moved by the persistence of the powerless, our compassionate Creator will certainly be moved by our diligent cries. In these perilous times, as our world seems to be ruled by increasingly unjust people and entities, we can be encouraged by this reminder that, even they, can be moved by dogged determination. Resistance is not futile. As we persistently seek God and lift up every care and concern, we should expect God to change our situation and/or change us to meet the challenges before us. We can be encouraged knowing that God hears, God cares, and God moves.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

(Psalm 121)