Prayer

He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint – Luke 18:1

Some of the parables of Jesus Christ are difficult to fully understand or perfectly apply. However the parable of "the unjust judge" is interpreted and applied for us, by the Holy Spirit himself. The point of the parable, Luke tells us in his divinely inspired narrative, is to teach us to never quit praying.

The parable involves a widow who has been wronged. Although the judge she appeals to is corrupt, uncaring, and godless, he eventually hears the widow's case—not because he changes his mind or character, but because she is so persistent with her request.

Jesus then instructs, "Hear what the unjust judge says" (18:6). If even a wicked, unfair judge would hear a case simply because of the perpetual applications of a citizen, then how much more will the loving God of heaven, who delights to care for the needs of His children, hear and answer prayers? He may delay, for His own good purposes, but He will certainly be sensitive to their cries.

There are many temptations to faint in our prayers to God — our own sense of unworthiness, no apparent or immediate answer, the temptation to take matters into our own hands. But Jesus says always, always pray. Do not faint. You are being heard by your just and caring and tender Father, even as you speak.