Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable

about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. 

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town

who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,

‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,

‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, 

because this widow keeps bothering me

I shall deliver a just decision for her

lest she finally come and strike me.’” 

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones

who call out to him day and night? 

Will he be slow to answer them? 

I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. 

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to pray as your Son taught his disciples. When pride creeps into my prayer, humble me. When I grow weary or discouraged, strengthen me. When the concerns of daily life distract me from you, draw my heart back into your presence. Deepen my trust in your goodness, and help me persevere in prayer as your beloved child.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Pray Always: During his final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of prayer. His first teaching concerns the necessity of praying continually, while his second emphasizes the need to pray with humility (Luke 18:1-14). Both teachings take place within the broader context of Jesus’ instruction about the coming of God’s Kingdom, the judgment, and the advent of the Son of Man. Prayer is conversation with God: “Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC, 2559). To pray always means to remain in communion with God throughout our lives: “The life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him” (CCC, 2565). We can cultivate this habit by beginning, interrupting, and ending our daily activities with prayer, while continually lifting our minds and hearts to God.

2. Pray without Becoming Weary: In the parable, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of persevering in prayer. The widow repeatedly approaches the judge, refusing to surrender her pursuit of justice. Her persistence illustrates the determination and perseverance that should characterize our prayer. This tireless fervor can come only from love: “Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love” (CCC, 2742). We should unite our prayer to all our works and our good works to prayer (CCC, 2745). Prayer is not something separate from the activities of daily life; rather, it should animate and sustain everything we do. Like the widow, we must not become discouraged when our requests seem unanswered. Instead, we should persevere in bringing our needs, hopes, and concerns before God.

3. Pray with Filial Trust: Jesus contrasts the unjust judge, who eventually grants the widow's request out of self-interest, with our Heavenly Father, who is perfectly good, merciful, and just. If even an unjust judge can be moved to secure a widow's rights, how much more will God answer the prayers of his beloved children! Unlike the widow, who must continually plead with an indifferent judge, we approach a Father who already knows our needs and desires what is truly good for us. We do not persevere in prayer because God is reluctant to hear us, but because we trust in his goodness, even when his answers do not come as quickly or in the way we expect. Jesus concludes by asking whether the Son of Man will find faith on earth when he returns. Our perseverance in prayer is ultimately an expression of our faith and filial trust as we await his coming. We must remain faithful, confident that our Father hears us and will bring his saving justice to fulfillment.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me to pray as you taught your disciples. Help me to remain in conversation with you throughout the day and to persevere when prayer becomes difficult. Free me from discouragement and deepen my confidence in the Father’s goodness. May my prayer strengthen my faith, sustain my love, and prepare me to welcome you when you come again.

Living the Word of God: How would I describe my life of prayer? Do I mark the beginning, middle, and end of each day with prayer, and do I continually lift my mind and heart to God? Do I persevere in prayer when my requests seem unanswered or when I grow discouraged? Do I approach God with the confidence of a beloved child or struggle to trust in his goodness? Does my prayer animate and sustain my works of Christian hospitality and charity? What can I do to deepen my life of prayer?