We have all been annoyed by something—the crying of a dog that wants food, the squeak in the floor that says, “Fix me,” or the dripping of a faucet that says, “Call a plumber.” The persistence of the issue eventually causes us to do something—to act. Persistence gets attention.
This is also true with God. He loves those who are persistent in prayer. To God, this is not an annoyance but a delight—that one of His children is stepping out in faith to believe Him for what they are asking.
In Luke 18:1–8, we see the story of a woman who was persistent. The opening verse sets the tone: “Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” This parable is more about how to pray than it is about a persistent woman. In any case, this woman had a need.
In verse 3 she says, “Get justice for me from my adversary.” We do not know who or what her adversary was, but in verse 4 we see that the judge was not moved by her request. This judge did not regard God or man. However, in verse 5 the judge says something that can revolutionize our prayer lives: “Because this widow troubles me I will avenge her.” Did you hear that? This woman had her request answered solely because of her persistence.
Jesus then gives more insight into this type of persistent prayer. He says in verses 6–8:
“Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
God is daring us to pray persistently. He is calling—and even beckoning—us to be faithful in prayer: to keep asking, to keep seeking, to keep knocking. If we do, the door will be opened to us. Why? Because God answers persistent prayer.
Do you have a need? If so, this parable is for you. Jesus said we should pray always “and not lose heart.” We are in a spiritual battle, and there are forces behind the scenes trying to make us weary and tired. Why? So that we stop praying for our need.
This parable is a word for you. God will answer your prayer. God will respond to your request. Don’t give up. Keep praying for the same request—over and over—every day, every week, every month. The door will be opened.
Luke 18 1Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, [b]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will [c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. NKJV
10 Supporting Scriptures
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “pray without ceasing.”
- Ephesians 6:18 – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
- Romans 12:12 – “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
- Colossians 4:2 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
- Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Psalm 55:17 – “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.”
- James 5:16 – “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
- Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
- Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
- Psalm 40:1 – “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.”
3 Reflection Questions
- Is there a prayer request you have stopped praying for because you grew weary?
- What would it look like for you to “not lose heart” in this season of your life?
- How can you build a daily rhythm of persistent prayer for your specific need?
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