Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
(verse 1)
-
I believe this is the only parable in the Gospels introduced by giving away the punchline. It must be the Lord’s intent that we not miss it.
Perseverance in prayer – always praying and not giving up – is illustrated by the persistence of a needy widow seeking justice from a judge who could care less. The situation looks hopeless, yet she perseveres. And the judge finally responds, not out of justice, not out of compassion, but simply out of self-preservation. The woman is an annoyance, her unceasing petition grating – so, he relents.
How much more so will your Father in heaven answer your prayers, Jesus says. The point is not that God is like the judge; no, rather that because he is so very different (upholding justice, loving people), persistence, which paid off with the unjust judge, will certainly bring an answer from the Lord.
Yet there is a tension in the very fabric of the story itself. Jesus tells us the Father “will see that they get justice and quickly.” But the need to “always pray and not give up” implies we won’t necessarily see answers as quickly as we’d like.
How is all of this squared? Two thoughts come to mind. The first comes from Peter’s observation that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and vice versa (2 Peter 3:8). The Lord’s perspective on time is light-years different than our own, so his quickness of response may not register with us till much later (or, as in the case of some of the Hebrews 11 heroes, beyond a lifetime itself).
The second thought comes from Daniel’s experience. On two separate occasions he is assured by angelic messengers that as soon as he began to pray, an answer was given (Daniel 9:23, 10:12). Yet one of those times the immediacy of the divine response is not seen in Daniel’s experience till three weeks later – there is behind-the-scenes activity being carried out that is necessary to the prayer’s fulfilment.
My own experience often involves much more than 3 weeks of waiting. Yet, I take the point. Don’t let time get in the way. Keep trusting the Father. Always pray and don’t give up. Don’t let discouragement discourage. Always pray. Press on when faith is stretched. Don’t give up.
I’ve got the punchline. Now I need to do it.
-
Father, I affirm your goodness. You give good gifts. I affirm your faithfulness. You always hear. I affirm your compassion. You always respond.
Therefore, I will always pray and not give up. Strengthen me with perseverance when my own perspective is so much more constrained than yours. I lift my sights to your face, O Lord, even when I can’t yet see your hand.
-
Pray:
What focused prayer is the Lord prompting you to pray right now? What will remind you to pray it?
Commentaires