Persistence

One of our newest SIU Missionary Trainers recently presented an oral story demonstration and dialogued Jesus’ parable of the Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge found in Luke 18:1-8 (NIV). The story begins…

 

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

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

 “And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. 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? 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?”

Dialogue

As we repeated the story orally, section by section and verse by verse, and asked questions whose answers are found in this passage of divinely inspired Scripture (a method we refer to with our SIU partners as “dialogue”), we were amazed at how much the Holy Spirit was teaching us.

At one point in the dialogue, one of our team members responded, “How much more is our God NOT at all like this unjust judge. God is entirely filled with mercy, grace and love for us.” His persistence for seeking us is constant. This team member then declared, “He will NOT put us off. It says so in this story. The Lord will see that that we get justice and quickly, but it will be according to His will and perfect timing.” Then another team member stated, “But I’m not going to give up asking, just like the persistent widow who kept coming and asking. The Lord also tells us not to give up in this story.”

What do this Bible passage and parable mean to you?…I’m interested in hearing from you.

4 replies
  1. Dan Vannelli
    Dan Vannelli says:

    This powerful story is as timely timely and relevant as ever. Our church is presently engaged in the 40 Days of Prayer program, developed by Pastor Rick Warren. The parallels to what we are learning and this parable are encouraging. I particularly resonated with the idea that God brings about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. And will not keep putting them off. He will see that they get justice, and quickly. This seems to be the heart cry of many believers in this country as we learn more and more of the deep seated corruption, deception and darkness being uncovered daily in many of our governmental agencies. Despite this, we can have complete trust in the LORD for He will not turn a blind eye or deaf ear to our prayers!

    Reply
    • Kent Kiefer
      Kent Kiefer says:

      Hi Dan,

      It’s so good to hear from you and to hear how your local church is using this story and parable in your learnings and teachings with local, grassroots community leaders. There is so much wisdom in this parable and the Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher of all. AND Yes what a great reminder that our Lord sees and hears all and He is listening to our prayers. He is our refuge and our strong tower and we will not TRUST in anything thing other than Him. God bless, Kent

      Reply
  2. David Thoresen
    David Thoresen says:

    I’ve had chronic daily headache pain since May of 2002. It started just three months after my daughter was born. So all her life she has known that daddy has headaches. My young prayer warrior shocked my wife and me when she, at age three (yes, 3!) saw me sitting with my head in my hands due to pain and she came up and laid her little hands on my head and prayed for healing.
    Fast forward 4 year – she was seven and I was tucking her in for bed. We always pray together at bedtime. She asked me, “Daddy, we’ve been praying for God to heal your head for a long time and he has not healed you yet. Should I keep praying for God to heal you?” I was a bit surprised by her good question, but immediately told her “yes, you should keep praying” and then proceeded to tell her this parable, the parable of the persistent widow. She got it. Now, at 15 years old she still prays daily for me! I am blessed.

    Reply
  3. Kent Kiefer
    Kent Kiefer says:

    Dear David,

    What amazing childlike faith demonstrated from your young now adolescent daughter and a maturing woman of God! Yes you are truly blessed. I will join her now in her persistant and dedicated prayers and pleas to our Lord for your healing. He will not fail us. Much love in Christ, Kent

    Reply

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