When Prayer Won’t Quit
“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 18:7 (NIV)
In this Parable of the Persistent Widow devotional, Jesus encourages us to pray with perseverance. He tells the story of a widow who repeatedly pleads with an unjust judge for justice. Though the judge lacks compassion or respect for God, he eventually gives in—not because he cares, but because her persistence wears him down.
Jesus contrasts that cold, corrupt judge with our righteous, loving Father. If even an unjust man eventually responds, how much more will God respond to His children who pray faithfully?
This isn’t just a parable about prayer—it’s a lesson in spiritual persistence when heaven seems silent.
🧎🏼♀️ The Widow Had No Power—But She Had Resolve
In biblical times, widows held very little status. They often lacked legal protection, provision, and influence. This woman stood no chance in court—especially before a judge who “neither feared God nor cared about people.”
Yet she refused to quit.
Her strength came not from position, but from persistence. She didn’t let rejection silence her voice. She kept showing up.
In this, Jesus reveals what faith looks like under pressure: it prays, and keeps praying—even when no one seems to listen.
💭 What Does This Teach Us About God?
Jesus tells us the parable to correct a false idea many believers hold—that God is indifferent, distant, or unmoved by our pain. He uses a worst-case scenario (an unjust judge) to highlight how different our heavenly Father is.
God is not slow because He’s distracted. He delays in justice sometimes to develop our faith, shape our hearts, and align us with His timing.
“Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.” (vv. 7–8)
God’s “quickly” may not feel immediate, but it always comes at the right time.
⛓ The Opponent You Can’t Beat Alone
The widow cried out against an adversary. She needed justice against someone who was exploiting or harming her.
In the spiritual realm, we also face opposition—from the enemy of our souls, from systems of injustice, and from our own brokenness. And like the widow, we need intervention from a higher authority.
Prayer is not begging a distant deity—it’s engaging our Father who fights on our behalf.
🕰 Don’t Lose Heart—Keep Praying
Jesus opens this parable by stating the purpose clearly:
“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (v.1)
This is not about earning answers. It’s about staying close to God through persistence. It’s about refusing to let discouragement or delay shake your hope.
Your unanswered prayer does not mean God has turned away. Sometimes it means He’s doing more than you asked—and building your faith along the way.
💡 Light & Spirit Prompt
Today, ask yourself:
- Have I given up too soon on something God asked me to keep praying for?
- Do I believe God hears me, even when He doesn’t answer quickly?
- Am I trusting in God’s justice and timing—or growing weary in waiting?
🙏 A Simple Prayer
Lord,
Sometimes I grow tired of praying the same prayers.
Teach me to be like the persistent widow—faithful, focused, and full of hope.
Help me believe that You are not like the unjust judge.
You are good, loving, and just.
Give me strength to keep asking, and the trust to wait well.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer doesn’t change God’s character—it reveals it.
And when we don’t quit in prayer, we grow stronger in faith.
💬 Encourage someone who’s weary in prayer today. Tomorrow: Day 15 – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.