From Rev’d Vicky – revvickyfalvey@gmail.com, 07356 234248
Readings: Genesis 32.22-31; 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5; Luke 18.1-8
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The following is taken from the Parish Newsletter for Sunday 19th October 2025.
Persistent Prayer and Unshakeable Faith: A Reflection on Luke 18:1–8
In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. At first glance, the story may seem unusual—a widow nagging a corrupt judge until he gives her justice, not out of righteousness, but to get her to stop bothering him. Yet within this brief parable lies a powerful lesson about prayer, perseverance, and the nature of God’s justice.
The passage begins with a clear statement of purpose: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” This sets the tone for what follows and gives us an essential principle—persistent prayer is not just encouraged, it’s vital. The widow in the parable represents someone in a vulnerable position. In Jesus’ day, widows had little social or legal standing. This woman had no power, no wealth, and seemingly no one to advocate for her. All she had was her voice—and she used it relentlessly.
In contrast, the judge is described as someone who “neither feared God nor cared what people thought.” He is the epitome of injustice: unmoved by divine authority and indifferent to human suffering. Yet even he is worn down by the widow’s constant pleas and grants her justice to avoid being further troubled. Jesus uses this extreme contrast to make a point: if even an unjust judge can be swayed by persistence, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the cries of His people?
The key lesson here is not that God is reluctant or that He must be nagged into action. Instead, Jesus is highlighting the effectiveness of persistent prayer—not because of our ability to convince God, but because of God’s already generous and just nature. If persistence can move someone as indifferent as the judge, how much more will it move a God who already longs to do right?
Jesus then concludes with a piercing question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” This shifts the focus from God’s willingness to our own faithfulness. The parable is not just about God’s justice, but also about our endurance. Will we continue to pray, even when the answers seem delayed? Will we trust in God’s character, even when circumstances suggest otherwise?
In an age of instant gratification and short attention spans, this parable is a call to spiritual perseverance. It encourages us not to give up when prayers seem unanswered, when justice feels delayed, or when faith begins to waver. God is not like the unjust judge—He hears, He cares, and He acts in His perfect timing. But He also values the kind of faith that refuses to quit.
As we reflect on Luke 18:1–8, we are reminded to keep praying—not because we must wear God down, but because prayer connects us to the heart of a just and loving Father. And in the act of persistent prayer, our faith is strengthened, our hope is renewed, and we become participants in the unfolding of God’s justice in the world.
Rev’d Vicky
Updated 19th October 2025