Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” vs. 1
Luke 18:1-5
When things aren’t going our way, we will regularly turn to prayer to get our lives straightened out. In those moments we are looking for almost any source of relief, and there is always the hope that God can make things right. But then when the problem doesn’t go away and in fact the situation worsens, it’s easy to give up hope. We imagine that our prayers are ineffectual and that our load is never going to be lightened. Obviously, Jesus knew that his disciples had days like that too, and that there were times when they got discouraged. So, he told them a parable that he hoped would encourage them to keep on praying and never give up. In his parable he imagines an unjust judge and a widow who keeps coming to him seeking relief from some injustice. And even though the judge keeps blowing her off, she wears him down. Finally, he grants her request, not because he’s just, but just to get her to stop asking. Jesus concludes that if an unjust judge will do that, surely our good Lord will answer our complaints quickly. His words were intended to encourage his disciples to keep praying. Of course, it’s never so easy as he implies–because sometimes answers don’t come. We know that! So, what shall we do? His instructions are clear: keep on praying and never give up!
Thought for the Day: When have I lost heart in my prayers?
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