In Luke 18, Jesus tells a powerful parable with a crystal-clear purpose: that men ought always to pray and not lose heart. What a direct and beautiful instruction from our Lord! He wants us to pray—constantly, confidently, persistently—and to never allow discouragement to take root in our hearts.

The story is simple but profound. A widow, a woman without power, position, or protection, comes before a judge seeking justice. But this judge is not just indifferent—he is corrupt. He does not fear God and he has no regard for man. He is the very opposite of what a judge ought to be. He doesn’t care for truth, righteousness, or mercy. And yet, despite all of this, the widow keeps coming. Day after day, with no advocate, no guarantee, no hope in the natural sense—she persists. Her relentless plea finally breaks through. The judge gives her justice—not because it is right, not because he has changed, but simply because he is tired of her coming. She has worn him down.

And then comes the lesson: if even an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our righteous, merciful, loving Father respond to the cries of His people! God is not like that cold-hearted judge. He doesn’t answer reluctantly. He doesn’t need to be convinced or pestered or manipulated. No! He is a tender Father who hears the cries of His elect, who responds with compassion and who moves in power. He may bear long, yes, but He will answer. He will avenge. He will not forget. He is not slow; He is perfect in timing.

So do not grow weary in your praying! Keep praying even when you don’t see results. Keep knocking when the door feels shut. Keep believing when answers seem delayed. Your Father is listening. Your prayers are never in vain. You are not approaching a courtroom where the judge is annoyed—you are coming boldly to a throne of grace where your Father welcomes you with open arms! You are not a nameless widow—you are the bride of Christ! You are chosen, beloved, and precious in His sight.

Don’t let guilt silence your prayers. Don’t let delay steal your hope. Don’t let the enemy whisper that God does not care. The parable of the persistent widow is not a lesson in how reluctant God is to answer—it’s a declaration that persistent faith pleases Him, and that He will surely respond! He delights in your trust. He honours your faith. He sees every tear, hears every cry, and bottles every prayer.

Jesus ends the parable with a striking and searching question: When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? This isn’t about church attendance or religious activity. This is about real, living, persevering, unshakable, prayerful faith—a faith that refuses to quit, a faith that clings to God when there’s no answer yet, a faith that keeps knocking because it knows who is behind the door.

May that faith be found in you. May you be counted among the faithful, the ones who never stop believing, never stop praying, never stop trusting. May you be like that widow—relentless, undeterred, full of expectation. And unlike the widow, know this: you are not pleading before a stranger, but calling upon your Father. And He will answer. He will arise. He will move. So pray—and don’t lose heart. Keep the fire of faith burning. Let your prayer life rise again. And when the Son of Man comes, may He find you faithful!

Kay Alli