Prayer is a fundamental part of the Christian faith. It serves as a means of communication with God, seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, and requesting help. Among the various forms of prayer, persistent prayer holds a special place due to its emphasis on unwavering faith and perseverance.
There are many examples of persistent prayer: St Paul praying 3 times for the removal of his thorn in the flesh – receiving his answer – “my Grace is all you need” And so Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians to: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Prayer is continuous communication with our God – our Heavenly Father – our Creator. And, like Paul, even when the answer seems to be “NO” we don’t give up – like the Canaanite woman praying to Jesus to heal her daughter: A Canaanite woman came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. His disciples urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” Jesus answered this time, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” She said, again. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Even Jesus prayed persistently – like Paul, 3 times, in the Garden of Gethsemane, not getting his will done: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” He went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Persistent prayer refers to the continual and unwavering act of praying, regardless of immediate answers or circumstances. It involves maintaining faith and trust in God’s timing and sovereignty, even when prayers seem unanswered or delayed.
Persistent prayer is characterized by perseverance, consistency, and a deep desire to connect with God. Even Jesus, himself God, would find time to go off and pray in solitude – uninterrupted. No phone, no emails, no internet.. Jesus emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer and to not give in when he says: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,” highlighting the importance of persistent seeking. Some might ask – why pray if God already knows what we need and what he’s going to give us – isn’t he all knowing and all powerful?
Persistent prayer reinforces our trust in God’s rule and goodness. It reminds us that God’s timing is perfect and that He cares deeply about our needs. Consistent prayer fosters a closer relationship with God, allowing us to experience His presence more intimately and develop a deeper understanding of His will – which is not always equal to OUR will. Persisting in prayer teaches patience and resilience, helping us to endure trials and uncertainties with hope and confidence of God’s presence with us and his knowledge of what we are going through. Persistent prayer encourages us to seek God’s will actively, aligning our desires with His divine plan rather than the other way around. And this is what Jesus teaches today when Luke says – Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.
The parable was about a persistent widow seeking justice. The judge initially refused but her persistence won out for her. It teaches us that persistent prayer can lead to divine intervention, miracles, and breakthroughs. As I constantly hear and also experience personally, prayer is not easy. It requires discipline.. Like Jesus did, we can set aside dedicated time daily for prayer and reflection. No phone, no email, no internet or TV. Keep a pen and paper handy to write down prayers that seem to pop into your head, even in the middle of the night that wake you from your sleep.
Jesus teaches us that persistent prayer is not just a spiritual discipline—it’s an act of faith that refuses to give up, even when justice seems delayed. Jesus begins this parable with a clear purpose: “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Don’t misunderstand Jesus’ analogy though. This is not suggesting God is like the unjust judge. It’s a contrast: If even an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a loving and just God respond to His people who cry out day and night?
Jesus is not just teaching us to pray—He’s teaching us to keep praying. Why? Because prayer is an act of trust. When we continue to pray, even when answers seem delayed, we’re saying, “God, I still believe You’re listening.” Because prayer shapes our hearts. The widow’s persistence wasn’t just about getting justice—it was about refusing to be silenced. Persistent prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God’s justice and mercy. Because God is not indifferent.
Unlike the judge, God is deeply invested in our lives. Jesus assures us: “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?” This parable is about justice. The widow represents those who are vulnerable, overlooked, without a voice and powerless. Her voice matters—and Jesus affirms that God hears such cries.
In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, this parable reminds us that God’s justice is sure, even if not immediate.
And it challenges us to be advocates for justice, just as the widow was—relentless, courageous, and faithful. Sometimes not taking “NO” for an answer. Jesus ends with a strange and haunting question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Will He find people still praying, still hoping, still trusting, even when the world seems silent? Or will we give up – I pray we don’t.
Faith and prayer are active, persistent, and sometimes stubborn. Faith is not just believing in God’s existence; no, James says that even the demons have that level of faith. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
True faith is believing in God’s goodness, even when life is hard. So how do we live this out? Pray boldly. Don’t be afraid to bring your deepest needs to God again and again. Advocate for justice. Be a voice for the voiceless, like the widow. We call that Intercessory Prayer – one of the most powerful forms of prayer we have. As we heard last week in the Jeremiah passage where Israel were asked to pray for their captors: But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
And, finally, hold on to faith. Even when answers are slow, or “no”, trust that God is working. God is not like the unjust judge. He is our Father, our Advocate, our Redeemer. He hears every cry, sees every tear, and responds—not out of weariness, but out of love. So keep praying. Keep believing. Keep showing faith. Because the God who hears will answer—and He will not delay forever.
