This week our parable is number 35, The Persistent Widow, which is found in Luke 18:1- 8.
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 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? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Does persistence in prayer mean: a) endless repetition, b) long sessions of prayer, c) attending daily [or weekly] prayer meetings, d) keeping our requests constantly before God, e) something else (what?) Just what does it mean to be persistent in our prayers?
Before we get into the issues here, we should be aware that Jesus told this parable to just his disciples. It may, and probably does, have meaning for a broader audience, but the immediate focus is on Jesus’ inner circle.
In this parable, persistence does not mean a, b, or c; rather it means d, keeping our requests before God. That does not mean that doing b or c is bad. In fact, attending a weekly prayer meeting is probably a very good thing.
There is a commonly-held belief that once you pray for something you should not have to pray for it again because God remembers all your prayers. But the reason for persistence in prayer is not to remind God but to remind yourself of your faith in God and your belief that he will answer your prayers. When we live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay in answering, but his delays always have good reasons. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.
Prayer is not one quick session of listing needs and expecting immediate results. Prayer is continuing to talk to God with persistence. Prayer is based on absolute faith in God, so it never gives up, knowing God will answer when and where He chooses. Prayer also knows that God expects us to keep on praying until the answer comes.
In this parable an emotionally passive judge settled cases in one town. He did so without passion, not caring for either party. He did so on the basis of his own wisdom and power, never looking to God for help, since he did not fear or believe in God. In an Israelite community where the judge was to be impartial and judgement ultimately belonged to God, this judge was unfit for his job.
The judge met his match when a local widow pled for justice in a dispute with a neighbor. The nature of her grievance is of no concern for the story. The point is that she was a widow who never gave up. As a widow she should have received special protection and care from the justice system. No matter how long the judge ignored her or denied her plea, she returned to his court asking for justice. The judge finally threw up his hands in disgust and frustration. Religious grounds did not cause him to act. He had no religion. Social justice grounds did not cause him to act. He cared nothing for people. He simply had a job as a judge and he did it. He did have limits to his patience, so he finally gave in to the woman just to get rid of her.
Jesus applied the story for his disciples. If an uncaring human judge acts like this, how much more does a loving heavenly Father care for his children. He will never put you off. He does care for you. You will get a quick answer. You will receive justice. But remember, this involves continuing to pray day and night. Your definition of quick may not equal God’s definition.
The problem is not with God. He will answer when you need it. You can count on that. The problem is with us. When Christ returns, will there be anyone here who calls out in faith day and night? Will we become so lackadaisical in our faith that we allow people of persistent prayer to become extinct? Will the second coming of Jesus find us persisting in prayer that his kingdom will come? Or will it find us trapped on the housetop trying desperately to get back into the house to find the possessions that we rely on more than we do on God? Persistent prayer, the work of the person of faith, continues on, no matter what the answer. When Christ returns, the person of persistent prayer will still be praying. Will you?