Views From The Pews – The Persistent Widow – Sunday, October 19, 2025

My Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Luke 18:1-8, often called the parable of the persistent widow, is a teaching about persistent prayer. It encourages believers to always pray and not lose heart, even when facing difficulties or feeling unheard. The key takeaway is that if an unjust judge will grant justice to a persistent widow, a loving God will surely provide for his own children, emphasizing that persistence is a key component of unwavering faith. The passage concludes by questioning whether Jesus will find such faith on earth when he returns, highlighting the importance of this enduring quality.  

Key reflections

• Persistence in prayer: 

The central theme is the importance of continually praying and not giving up, a lesson Jesus taught to counter discouragement. 

• Faith is shown through persistence: 

Genuine faith is revealed not in occasional prayer, but in a passionate and consistent one, especially while waiting for the kingdom of God to come. 

• God is not like the unjust judge: 

The parable is not meant to suggest that God is reluctant and must be “worn out” by prayer. Instead, it uses the contrast of the unjust judge to highlight God’s loving and just nature, who is far more willing to answer than the judge was. 

• Dealing with discouragement: 

Jesus acknowledges that hardships and discouragement are to be expected in the world, and he encourages prayer as a way to cope with them and remain hopeful. 

• God’s justice: 

The parable suggests that justice has its source in God, and while worldly barriers exist, persistence in seeking that justice through prayer is what brings about God’s answer. 

• The nature of faith on earth: 

The final question Jesus asks about finding faith on earth serves as a reminder that the endurance to keep praying despite the world’s difficulties is a critical measure of faith for the time of his return. 

Contributed