During this time of Covid-19, in our country and around the world, many of us are probably praying now more than ever. Are you lacking faith, wondering when or even if God will answer your prayers? Lets look to a parable for some encouragement and advice on being persistent in prayer.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8 NKJV

​1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

It can be discouraging when we pray and don’t see God’s answer right away. God is in control of answered prayers. Be encouraged, this parable shows us what we are in control of!

What Aspects of Prayer Can We Control?

• Verse 1: Pray and not lose heart!
  • Prayer is our choice. It’s our choice to go to God with our requests. God wants us to go to Him with everything!
  • Don’t lose heart. This can be easier said than done, but it is our choice. The longer we have to pray for something, the more discouraged we can get. Jesus left parables like this one to help us NOT lose heart.
• Verse 7: Cry out day and night!
  • Cry out to God! Don’t just go through the motions, show your emotions, CRY OUT to God.
  • Day and Night! God wants us to go to Him OFTEN, in fact this verse says day and night. We can control how often we put our request before God. God wants us to be persistent!
• Verse 8: Faith on earth.
  • Your Faith! You are only in control of your own faith. Are you still going to be faithful when Jesus comes back? Keep your faith strong through reading and memorizing scripture, along with your fellowship with God, by being persistent in prayer.
  • Faith on Earth! Your faith will impact other people, believers and non believers alike. Ultimately, no we are not in control of the amount of faith on this earth. But our faith is a witness to others in which God uses to save the lost and encourage His children, which will grow the faith on this earth.

We hope you search our Free Bible Studies from Christian Fellowshipping for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.