the persistent prayer

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.  And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.  “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.  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?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

The parable of the persistent widow shows a woman who was desperate and would not give up.  She knew what she wanted and would stop at nothing to get it.  There are several very important things to focus on in this story,

•  While the widow had to to go a corrupt judge, we can go to our Heavenly Father. 
•  She was a stranger to this judge while we are God's children.
• The widow had no access to the judge while we have constant access to God through the Holy Spirit.
• The widow came to a court of law.  We come to the throne.
• She had no lawyer.  We have Jesus as our advocate.
• She had to wear down the judge before he would even listen to her.  We can be certain that God hears our requests.  

Ever feel like this poor widow in need of an answered prayer.  Do you ask and ask until your requests are heard and granted?  Be assured that if your requests are holy and in line with God's will, they will be answered.  But, as Jesus illustrated, persistence pays off.  God wants us to be familiar with Him.  Sometimes, we need to keep on asking to show that we will continue to have faith and follow God even when it seems He isn't listening.

So, don't stop praying.  Keep pressing on and running the good race praying constantly.   It's at the time that you feel like giving up that God is going to give in.  Just as being a good runner takes persistence, so does this. It's worth it.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for being everything we need.  Thank you for hearing our prayers and being just and faithful.  We pray that we hold on to your promises and pray with perseverance that you will answer our prayers according to your will.  Amen.