Persistence in Prayer

 

 Luke 18: 1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ² He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. ³ And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

⁴ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

How long should we pray for someone or something important for ourselves or others?  Once may do, but usually it takes much more than that, for our prayer will not only benefit others, but it also helps us to grow closer to God.  The more time we spend in prayer, the more our hearts grow in love and in confidence with God; we learn patience, and good old "stick-to-it-iveness", a virtue sorely needed in our "fast-food" culture. The prayer for another's intentions or needs can and will help us as much as it helps them.  Let us not fret that we are bothering God, but take heart knowing that he relishes our confidence and trust in him,  loves to hear from us  and never tires of us.

Bro. Rene

Our Father, have you heard our cries? Have you heard our calls, our small voices, hoarse and tight? You tell us not to lose heart. Wash our hearts with grace so that we may trust your promise, so that our heavy hearts will not be lost in the night. You promise to send your justice, bright and burning. Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth? Give us this faith, O God. Quicken our hearts, spark and winnow our hope into a flame of love that expects your justice, and rejoices when it blossoms. Amen.

Rev. Michael Thomas, C.S.C.