November 20: The Widow Who Wouldn't Quit Asking

You’ve been praying for the same thing for months. Nothing seems to be happening. Should you stop?

Luke tells us exactly why Jesus told this parable before he even tells the story: to show that people ought always to pray and not give up. That’s how important the point is. Jesus knew we’d get tired.

The story goes like this. There was a judge who didn’t fear God or care about people. A widow kept coming to him, asking for justice against someone who had wronged her. He ignored her. She kept coming. He ignored her again. She kept coming. Finally, he gave in, not because he cared, but because she was wearing him out.

Then Jesus makes the point. If even an unjust judge will finally answer someone who keeps asking, how much more will God, who loves His people, hear them when they cry to Him day and night?

God is not the unjust judge. That’s the contrast. You don’t have to wear Him down. He’s already listening. But the story still teaches persistence, because from our side, waiting is hard. It’s easy to lose heart.

Maybe you’ve been praying for a family member to get sober. For a marriage to heal. For a child to come back. For a craving that keeps returning. For a job. For peace about something you can’t fix. And the answer hasn’t come yet.

Keep praying. Not because God needs to be convinced. Because prayer keeps you connected to Him while you wait. It keeps your heart soft instead of bitter. It reminds you who’s really in charge of the outcome.

Persistence in prayer also changes you. Over months, you may find your prayer shifting. You start asking for something a little different. You start seeing the situation differently. Sometimes the answer turns out to be in how God changes you while you wait.

Recovery itself is built on persistence. One day at a time, over and over. Prayer works the same way.

One thing today

Write down one long-standing prayer you’ve been tempted to give up on. Pray for it again today, and add one line asking God to keep your heart soft while you wait.

A prayer

Lord, I’m tired of asking. But I’m not going to stop. Keep me from losing heart. Help me trust that You hear, and shape me while I wait for Your answer. Amen.

Persistence in prayer is a big part of Step Eleven.

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