When Jesus spoke to the people, he used language and illustrations they could understand. One of his parable stories was about an importunate widow.
In Luke 18, Jesus told a parable to encourage his followers to pray continually and not lose heart. He shared about a widow who kept coming to a godless judge, begging for justice against her adversary.
The judge refused to listen to her at first, but because she kept coming to him and pleading her case, he decided to give her justice so that she might quit bothering him.
Jesus pointed out that if an unrighteous judge would answer a petition just because of a widow’s constant pleading, how much more will God, who loves you, be willing to answer your prayers.
He closes the story with this, “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (v. 8)
Of course, we must keep in mind, that God’s idea of speedily, and ours, may not be the same. He knows just the right time to answer our prayers. He’s neither too early nor too late.
Jesus concludes by questioning if people have that kind of faith. The faith that persists even when it appears he’s not listening. The faith that trusts that praying continually is not a futile pursuit.
How easy it is for us to pray once or twice and then give up, but if we’re willing to keep taking it to him over and over until he responds, oh, what a blessing we’ll receive.
Read about the importunate widow: Luke 18:1-8
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