Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).
Our Father, You hear the prayers of Your children, the cries of our heart. Our Lord Jesus told a parable of an unjust judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought (Luke 18:2), but who nevertheless finally listened to the petitions of a persistent widow.
Jesus uses the story to affirm that if a godless, unjust judge finally listens, how much more would the God of perfect love and justice listen to the cries of His children: "Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly" (Luke 18:7-8).
Oh Lord, we are so encouraged by Your invitation to persist in prayer, to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are so heartened by the assurance that You hear us, that You will bring about relief and vindication.
Increase our trust, dear Father! Teach us endurance, and persevering faith. Teach us persistence, determination, grit, and great enterprising. Help us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). As we remember Your faithfulness O, Lord, grow our own faith, so that "when the Son of Man comes," He will find faith in us (Luke 18:8).
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
~ William W. Walford ~ 1845
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