In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow to remind us to pray always and not lose heart. I love this story because it’s both honest and funny—the unjust judge finally gives in, not because he cares, but because the widow simply won’t quit! Jesus uses that image to show us something powerful about faith: if persistence can move someone who doesn’t care, how much more will it move the heart of a God who loves us deeply? Prayer isn’t about bothering God—it’s about trusting Him enough to keep coming back. Even when we don’t see answers right away, we keep praying, keep showing up, and keep believing. So today, whatever you’re carrying, don’t give up. Be like that widow—faithful, persistent, and full of hope—because our God hears, loves, and will move in His perfect time.

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Good morning, friends!
It’s good to be with you on this Wednesday morning. I hope you’re doing well and staying warm. I’m excited for Bible study tonight at St. Matthew’s—it’s always one of my favorite times of the week. It’s going to be a good day all around!

Today we’re jumping into one of my favorite parables in all of Scripture—the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1–8. I love this passage for a lot of reasons, but mainly because of one particular line that always makes me smile. Let’s read it together:

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Luke 18:1–8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected anyone. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

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That line always gets me:

“Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I’ll grant her justice so that she won’t wear me out.”

I love that! It’s just so honest—and honestly, it’s kind of funny. This judge doesn’t care about God or people, but he gives in just because this woman will not leave him alone. He’s basically saying, “Fine! Whatever you want—just stop bothering me!”

There’s something so human about that, isn’t there? It reminds me of that old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.”
Sometimes persistence is what makes things happen. I’ve heard folks in nursing homes say it’s the families who keep showing up that get the most attention for their loved ones.

Persistence matters.

I was talking to my nephew recently—he’s in dental school—and I told him, “Just show up every day. Do your work. Be consistent.” Half the battle in life is just showing up and staying with it. One of my favorite lines from a coach I once knew was, “The best ability is availability.” In other words, talent doesn’t matter much if you’re never present.

That’s true in work, in relationships, in faith—and especially in prayer.

Because while this parable gives us a great real-world example of persistence, Jesus uses it to teach us something deeper about how we pray.

He says if even an unjust judge—someone who doesn’t care about God or people—will eventually grant justice to a persistent widow, how much more will our loving Father hear and respond to us?

Think about that.
If persistence moves the heart of someone who doesn’t care, imagine how much more it moves the heart of a God who loves you deeply.

So Jesus tells us: Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Keep praying.

We should pray like this widow—coming before God again and again and again.
We should “wear out” the welcome mat of heaven with our prayers!
If the throne room of God had carpet, it ought to be worn thin by our constant coming before Him.

We’re not bothering God when we pray persistently. We’re demonstrating our faith.
We’re showing that we trust Him enough to keep bringing our needs to Him.

Now, I know it can be discouraging when prayers go unanswered—or when they’re not answered the way we hoped. But Jesus says, “Keep praying.” Keep coming. Keep trusting.

And that’s what this parable is about.
If an unjust judge will eventually act, then surely a just and loving God—who is for us—will hear us. God is not against us. God wants what’s right for us. God loves us and delights in our prayers.

Jesus ends this passage with a question:

“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

In other words, when He returns, will He find us still praying? Still trusting? Still showing up before Him day after day, like that persistent widow?

Friends, that’s my hope for us—that we’d be people of prayer. That we’d bring every need, every burden, every worry to God.

As that old hymn says:

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.”

So today—what are you carrying?
What have you been praying about for a long time? A child who’s wandered from faith? A loved one who’s sick? A financial worry or a personal struggle?

Whatever it is, don’t stop praying.
Keep bringing it before God. Keep trusting Him. Keep showing up.

Because unlike the unjust judge, our God loves us, hears us, and will move in His time and His way.

So today, let’s be like that widow—persistent, faithful, and full of hope.
Let’s keep praying until the answer comes.

Have a great day, friends.
See you in the morning.