“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1, NLT). That story is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Persistent Widow.
“There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming’ ” (Luke 18:2–5, CSB).
He told the story to teach us that we should “always pray and never give up!” Like the widow, we should pray persistently, passionately, urgently!
Jesus taught the disciples to “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, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” Matthew 7:7–8, CSB). Ask. Seek. Knock. Persistently.
The Apostle Paul admonishes his readers, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV). He continues, “... praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...” (Ephesians 6:18, ESV).
Jesus isn’t concerned about us pestering Him. He invites us to “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need”(Hebrews 4:16, CSB). He wants us to “cast our cares on him, because he cares” about every detail, every hurt, every need... (1 Peter 5:7, CSB).
Like the Olympian running a great race, we must “run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2, CSB). The Olympic marathoner sets his eyes on the finish line. He’s not distracted, discouraged or deterred.
I have twin grandsons that are three years old. They’re adorable. When one of those little fellas says, “Papa, will you read me a book?” I’ll drop everything! I’ll read them the Encyclopedia Britannica if that’s what they want! “Papa, can I have a cookie?” Yep, the whole platter! “Papa will you wrestle me?” I’m Dusty Rhodes!
God is not too busy. He’s not incapable. He’s not uninterested or lacking compassion. You’re not bugging Him. God is better than the most caring and loving granddad.
“Pray and never give up!”
