Broken BreadDaily Devotions from the Daily Lightby Evan HopkinsJune 7Men ought always to pray, and not to faint--Luke 18:1All our Lord's parables were given with a definite end--a special object. Here in the context is a parable "to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not faint." The words are intended, it would seem, not so much for those who do not pray, but for those who do pray but do not continue in prayer. The Lord bids us "always to pray," which we may understand in the sense of keeping on, persevering in prayer. There is a special danger of yeilding to the unbelieving suggestion that, after all, prayer has no power in it--that it is useless to persist in our supplications--that if we have offered up our petition it is enough. If the answer comes--well; but if not, it will not come because of our importunity. The parable and our Lord's teaching are directly opposed to such an unbelieving view. Here we are taught plainly that it is God's will that we should ask, and ask again. It is no proof that God does not hear us because the answer is delayed; nor is the delay a sign that the petition is denied. We must "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."
Luke 18:1 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 whis 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? ~ESV
