Patience and Persistence in Prayer
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 18:1, 7 (NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart … and shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
In this passage of Luke, Christ teaches His disciples to pray persistently and be patient when we ask, even when God seemingly doesn’t answer us immediately. One of the greatest challenges to modern day believers is resilience and perseverance. In our age, we want everything now. Our familiarity with convenience makes us like spoiled brats: we complain, murmur, and act out of carnality when we do not get what we want immediately. However, God does not answer our every prayer right when we ask. Therefore, we should be patient in praying, knowing that God will answer us according to His timing and His way. Indeed, this will even help us build character—patience, meekness, and trust in God’s faithfulness.
In addition to being patient in prayer, we believers are to be persistent as well. Jesus illustrated this truth using the parable of the unjust judge and the widow.
Luke 18:2-5 (NKJV) saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’
We can see from the parable that even an unjust, ungodly judge or magistrate will eventually give in to our cries and pleas if we continue to ask. The judge probably gave no attention to the poor widow’s case because she could not give him anything in return; he would have more incentive to hear the cases of the wealthy and influential. Nonetheless, even this man gave in to the widow’s demands because of her persistence. If such an ungodly judge listened to the widow’s case, how much more will God—who is holy, compassionate, merciful, gracious beyond all measure, and is impartial to class or worldly status—hear our persistent prayers and supplications?
What caused the unjust judge to act was the widow’s insistency and persistency. She would not let the matter rest and wasn’t willing to give up until justice was done to her adversary, but kept demanding her rights and for her case to be heard. Likewise, God wants us to demand our rights, desire to see justice done to the evildoers, and for Him to act on the case by coming to Him through prayer. Don’t quit but pray until something happens!
Sermon Series： Do Not Lose Heart, But Always Pray Until Something Happens
