“… men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1 (KJV)
Jesus spoke an instructive parable in Luke 18:1-8 about a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach us the importance of persistent prayer and unwavering faith in God, Who is just. This account is known as the parable of importunity, which means pressing a request with such urgency and repetition that it seems bothersome. It is not about polite, casual asking; it is about “shameless” boldness in seeking God’s intervention.
Further, importunity comes from the Greek word “anaideia,” meaning without shame. It pictures someone who is not bashful or reluctant. Someone who does not hold back or hesitate. Someone who is even reckless in their disregard for anything that might stop them.
The Scripture says, “And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint”. The purpose of this parable is to encourage us in the matter of praying and also to give us an incentive not to quit praying. It teaches us the necessity of never giving up – Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH). The words of Jacob come to mind when he wrestled with God, saying, ” …I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26, NKJV). That was persistence. The widow refused to look at the judge’s hard heart; she refused to let anything deter her from getting the help she needed.
When we persist in and maintain a posture of prayer, we stay connected to God, keeping our requests before Him and trusting that He will answer. This means we are living by faith, and faith in God can move mountains, calm any troubled situation in our lives, and turn the desert into a fountain.
Jesus makes the powerful point about persistent prayer when He says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV).
We must not quit praying the moment we do not see God respond as we would have hoped. Hold on with ” shameless audacity.” Even the unjust judge had to give in to the widow’s request. The Message Bible says: “…because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice…” (Verses 4-5).
The pertinent question is asked in Verses 6-7 of the Message Bible: “…So, what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for His chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t He stick up for them? I assure you, He will. He will not drag His feet…”. Be assured, brethren, God will step in.
Prayer
Lord, I have heard Your Word, men should always pray and not faint. Lord, I pray You give me the grace to persist in prayer, help me not to quit but to keep trusting You, knowing that You will step in and work justice for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Read: Proverbs 24:16; Hebrews 10:36
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 60:5-12; John 8:12-30; Judges 18; Judges 19