This story of the persistent widow teaches perseverance and patience in prayer. (Luke
18:1-8.) We can keep on praying with confidence during the ‘waiting period,’ sure that God will
see we get justice. God knows that it often hurts us to wait. This parable encourages us that
God is already acting to bring us the blessing. God is no unjust judge. If a woman could persist
with her plea against such odds surely, we can pray on if the answer does not come at once.
How many of us have been praying for a particular prayer, sometimes for years. There is
a good chance, God has helped us to develop spiritual sight during this time. As we trust that
God has a plan for us and those we love, we hope He will bring good out of the difficulty, even
when it doesn’t seem like it at the time. When we are waiting for a resolution to some
difficulty, we can lift-up our eyes to see the bigger picture of God’s never-ending love and care
for us.
The Word Among Us provides some inspiration, “We may be tempted to think that God
has forgotten us or doesn’t hear our prayers, but our faith tells us that God does see us and He
is using difficult situations to deepen our trust in Him and strengthen our faith in His goodness.
Trust that God is working for your good and praise Him for His faithfulness.”
As caretakers, can we trust and continue to be persistent in prayer? We are encouraged
by the words of Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is
near.” Philippians 4:6-7, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, make your request known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will
be given to you; seek and you till find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone
who receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be
opened.”
I identify with the widow in this parable as I have been trying for over a year and a half
to get the title for the car that is in my husband’s name. I will not elaborate on the many details
of what I have been through with numerous calls and visits to Motor Vehicle, car dealerships,
etc. Grief, the ever-present, is a mainstay and I have needed courage to keep on keeping on.
Dealing with this formed me. Much prayer has transpired and gratefully my recent realization
was that God was building muscles in me to continue until I am successful and able to live a life,
one day at a time, without my wonderful husband being here physically. What prayer are you
waiting on? Trust God’s love to carry you and see it answered in God’s way.
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