Prayer That Does Not Give Up

Why do we pray? And if God knows what we need before we ask, isn’t it enough to ask once and leave it there? Jesus answers with a short parable at the start of Luke chapter 18.

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up.

Luke 18:1

Jesus then tells the story of a widow who seeks justice from a judge “who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man”. Jesus is not saying that God is like this judge – quite the opposite. If an unjust judge gave the widow justice because she kept on asking, how much more will our good heavenly Father, who loves his children?

Prayer doesn’t persuade God – it changes us

We might think that persevering in prayer is an attempt to persuade God, or to move his hand against his will. But God is not a distant judge; he is a Father who knows us.

For your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

So what is the point of persevering? Continual prayer changes us: it lays our hearts bare, purifies our motives, and turns our faith from an occasional request in a moment of need into constant fellowship with God. We may come away from prayer changed ourselves, even before our circumstances have changed.

Perseverance is a sign of living faith

The widow kept on asking because she believed justice was possible. Had she given up at the first refusal, she would have received nothing. It is the same with persevering in prayer: it is not a weakness of faith but the expression of a faith that trusts God hears.

James says, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours”, and reminds us that he prayed and it did not rain, then prayed again and the sky gave rain (James 5:17-18). In 1 Kings we see him praying at the top of Mount Carmel and sending his servant to look out towards the sea. The servant comes back saying, “There is nothing.”

He said, “Go again” seven times. On the seventh time, he said, “Behold, a small cloud, like a man’s hand, is rising out of the sea.”

1 Kings 18:43-44

Elijah did not stop at the first answer. He kept praying and waiting until the small cloud appeared.

Prayer is the refuge of the powerless

In Jesus’ day a widow was among the most vulnerable people in society: no husband to protect her, no power and no money. Yet she did not lose hope, and she kept on asking.

We too may be weak or feel like strangers, weary or unwell. But prayer opens to us a door that is shut to no one, because we come to God through Christ, not on our own merit.

Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Jesus’ question at the end of the parable

Jesus closes the parable with both a promise and a question:

I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Luke 18:8

Jesus did not ask about outward religion or achievements, but about faith: a faith that prays and does not give up, that asks and does not despair, that stands firm when the answer is delayed. This is the faith Christ is looking for in us.

Putting it into practice

• Set aside a regular time to pray each day, even just five minutes to begin with. Consistency matters more than length.
• Write your requests in a small notebook, and look back at it from time to time to remember God’s faithfulness.
• When you feel discouraged because the answer is slow in coming, read Luke 18:1-8 again.
• Choose one difficult need and pray for it every day. Instead of asking “When?”, say, “Father, I trust you.”

A prayer

Our heavenly Father, teach us to pray. We confess that our patience is short and our faith grows weak so quickly. Give us a spirit of perseverance, so that we may always pray and not give up, and let prayer be our daily life, not only our refuge in times of trouble. And when Christ comes, may he find in us the faith he is looking for. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Related verses

• Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
• Philippians 4:6: “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”
• Romans 12:12: “Rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
• James 5:16: “The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”

If you would like us to pray with you or for you, we would be glad to hear your request through our prayer requests page.