Knowing The Word in Luke 18:1-8, The Parable of the Persistent Widow

When praying, people often do not see the answer they are looking for, and it is easy to get discouraged. Jesus urges his followers to keep on praying. He tells a parable about a self-centered judge, who loves only himself, and a poor widow, who could not bribe the judge or use any influence against him. All she had was that she was in the right, and she expected to win as she worn down the judge. The point of the parable, that his disciples should always pray and not lose heart, is illustrated by the wicked judge. If he can sometimes do good, how much more good will God do! While we may think of the elect as those who are privileged, they are in great need of God and are called to service, even hard service, such that God is their only hope.

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Prayer: O Lord, the Scripture says, “There is a time for silence and a time for speech.” Savior, teach me the silence of humility, the silence of wisdom, the silence of love, the silence of perfection, the silence that speaks without words, the silence of faith. Lord teach me to silence my own heart that I may listen to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me and sense the depths which are of God.

Source unknown, 16th century