The Persistent Widow

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/24xsq6

Do you believe in the power of prayer? In James 5:16, James says the “effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” I believe that with all my heart. Although I also know that not every prayer will be answered in the way we expect it to be answered.

Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 5:16 to, “pray without ceasing,” or to always be in a prayerful attitude toward God. And even though we pray often to God, it is when real need arises that we pray with even greater fervor to Him.

For example, people will pray for peace for the world, health for themselves and safety for a journey. But if peace is threatened by war, health is endangered by sudden illness or the danger for a trip increases then our prayers become more focused and more persistent.

We want God to hear our direct and definite desires.

Luke records two parables of Jesus that deal directly with the subject of prayer. The parable of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-8, and the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8.

In these parables Jesus demonstrates the power of persistence or perseverance. As our Father, God is always there to hear our requests and is willing to provide for us.

The parable of the widow gives us a glimpse into the life of a woman in distress. Widows and orphans in that time lacked the economic and legal standing that men enjoyed. Without a husband to provide for her, this widow had few options left in order for her to survive.

She apparently has been wronged by someone, an adversary, who no doubt has made her situation much worse, even desperate. We see that her requests are direct and definite and determined. This reading is from Luke 18:1-8.

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 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.’”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

This issue was of great importance to this woman. This judge was probably a Roman since the Jews could not convene a court under one man. He didn’t have much interest in her situation and tried to postpone judgment. At times this was done in order to encourage a bribe to speed things along. Felix hoped for this from Paul in Acts 24.

But this woman had no means of giving such a bribe. In fact, her ability to pay anyone may have been taken away by her adversary. Her only path was to be persistent in her request receive justice. Sensing that she would not go away this judge decided to settle her case.

Jesus teaches us that if an unjust judge can grant justice due to perseverance, then also God will do much more to those who persistently pray to Him.

Do you have a need? Pray and don’t lose heart or hope. Be direct and definite on your needs. Pray fervently on specific things, not general ones.

From Luke 11:9, Jesus said, “ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” The verbs in that passage have the meaning of an ongoing action. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking. Be persistent.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we always turn to God with our requests as well as our thanksgiving. May we always submit our prayers with the humble resolve, “not my will but Thy will be done.”

Our thought for the day: “Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.