Parables can be hard to understand, so I love it when the Bible explains the point of a parable clearly. Today’s parable is one of those. Jesus teaches about the importance of persevering in prayer.

Prayer is an essential part of our communication with God and how we grow nearer to Him. Jesus exhorts us to be diligent in prayer. How can we build talking with our Father, Friend, King, Judge, and Lord more into the decision moments, the commuting moments, the moments that make up the rhythm of our days?

I think the follow-up question is why would Jesus desire that His followers would be persevering in prayer? Jesus calls us to pray the way He modeled for us. How might prayer shape our lives more into following the example that Christ lived and calls us to?

[Luke 18.1-8]

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?”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does Luke say is the point of this parable? [v. 1]

+ In the parable, how is the judge described? [vv. 2-5]

+ In the parable, how is the widow described?” [vv. 2-5]

+ The point of this parable is heightened in the contrast between the character of the judge and the character of God. How is God’s character different from the judge? [vv. 6-8]

+ Given the difference in the character of the One whom we should implore, how should that shape our attitude toward God in prayer? [vv. 7-8]

+ What might be the connection between prayer and the Son of Man finding faith on the earth when he returns? [v.8]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What does my prayer life look like?

+ What steps can I take to become more persistent in prayer?

+ Do I trust God enough with my cares and my joys to ask Him earnestly for these things according to His will?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?